Tobe Jane Vella

Tobe Jane Vella (ne Toby Jane Heyman) passed away peacefully on April 6, 2025 at Christian Health in Wyckoff N.J. She was born on July 14, 1930 in Newark, N.J. to Jacob and Helen (Feenan) Heyman. After losing her father at an early age, she was raised by her mother, Aunt Margaret, Aunt Molly, and Uncle Jack in Cliffside Park N.J. where she made many lifelong friends. She loved spending her summers at Palisades Amusement Park which always remained a favorite childhood memory. Tobe graduated from Holy Name Hospital School of Nursing in 1955 and earned her B.S. in nursing from Seton Hall University in 1962. During her career as an RN, she worked in the operating room at Holy Name Hospital and was a school nurse in the Teaneck Public Schools. Her choice of a career in nursing truly reflected her caring nature. Tobe married James Vincent Vella Jr. in 1958 and together, they built a life with their four children. Tobe loved spending time with her family planning and taking enriching day trips as well as spending time at Lindy Lake where she bought a lakefront home for all of her family to enjoy and create lasting memories. Tobe enjoyed being a member of the Bergen County Historical society; taking trips with friends; decorating for the holidays; going to the theater; and spending time with her family. She was a kind, thoughtful woman who is remembered by many for her ability to listen and only offer advice if it was solicited. Many people have commented that she helped them or someone close to them in a time of need. She is survived by her children: Barbara Ann Cullere (John), James Frances Vella (Michele), Steven Michael Vella (Marianne), and Jeanne Marie Johnston (B.J.); her 6 grandchildren: Jason, Ryan, Shannon, Alyssa, Aidan, and Harrison; and 5 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Vincent Vella Jr. in 1981. Friends and family are invited for visitation today, Wednesday, April 9, 2025 from 4-8PM at Volk Leber Funeral Home, 789 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ. Funeral service from the funeral home on Thursday at 9AM and then to Holy Trinity RCC, Hackensack, NJ for a 10 AM Mass of Christian Burial. Interment to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Hackensack. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer's Association (https://www.alz.org/) and the Ronald McDonald House (https://rmhc.org/). For further information and to view Tobe’s tribute page, please visit volkleber.com.