Obituary: Amanda L. Gambacorto, 21, of Middletown; An "Adventurous Spirit"

Amanda L. Gambacorto, 21, of the Belford section of Middletown, passed away on Saturday, August 16, 2014. She was born in Red Bank, NJ, and was a lifelong resident of Belford. She was a 2011 graduate of Middletown High School North, where she was in the National Honor Society, and where she was involved in many clubs and activities. Amanda was to begin her senior year at Stony Brook University in Long Island, where she was studying Environment Humanities and Philosophy. She was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority. Amanda was a parishioner at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Middletown, where she received her sacraments.

Amanda received her First Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. She was an avid reader and an amazing writer. She thoroughly enjoyed music. She loved to laugh, and enjoyed making others laugh. Her sense of humor was beyond her years. She was known for her “Amanda-isms”.

She had a smile as bright as her mind, and as big as her heart. She enjoyed cooking, rock climbing, and skateboarding. Amanda loved going to the Balloon Festival every year with her Mom, and taking long drives with no destination in mind. In her younger years, she enjoyed going to the car races with her Dad, as well as participating in numerous Holmdel Kiwanis events with him. She had an adventurous spirit.

Amanda loved visiting her family in Maine, where she often spent her Holidays. She loved the beach, where she would sit and read. She enjoyed being outdoors and being with nature. Amanda was a kind and generous person, who was often involved in fundraising events. She was always available to help anyone in need.

In her short life, Amanda touched many lives. If she touched your life once, you were touched forever.

Amanda was predeceased by her paternal grandparents, Joseph and Elsie Gambacorto, and her maternal grandparents, John and Joyce Stanislawczyk.

Surviving are her parents, Dawn Gambacorto and Guy Gambacorto. Her maternal aunts, Lori (Thomas) Enny, and Julie (Patrick) Devenny. Her cousins, Thomas Enny III, Alyssa Enny, Kayla Slover and Ethan Zito. Her paternal aunts and uncles, Johnny (Martha) Vetterl, Nancy Vetterl, Vinny Vetterl, Harriet Harber, Thomas (Theresa) Gambacorta, Dominick (Janet) Gambacorto, Pauline Gambacorto, Angie Mills, JoAnn Richardson, Gary (Natasha) Gambacorto, and numerous cousins, including Nicole Gambacorto and Robert Gambacorto.

Amanda leaves behind a very special cousin, Margaret Jenkins.

Amanda also leaves behind her two best friends, Vikkie Joel and Lauren Cisneros, her friend and college roommate, Kristen Lee, and all her Sorority sisters.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 21, 2014 from 4-8 pm at Mary, Mother of God Church, 19 Cherry Tree Farm Rd., Middletown. A Funeral Liturgy will be offered on Friday, August 22, 2014 at 10:30 am at St. Mary’s Chapel, 26 Leonardville Rd., Middletown. Guests are asked to arrive at the Chapel between 10:15 and 10:30 am.

Repass will be held at Jacques Reception Center, 500 Palmer Ave., in North Middletown, immediately following the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: The Sharing Network, 691 Central Ave., New Providence, NJ 07974 or to: Green Peace at: greenpeace.org. For more information, to send condolences or for directions, please visit www.pflegerfh.com.