Alethea “Ali” Elisa Villanueva, age 47, unexpectedly passed away on October20, 2020 in her home in Elizabeth, NJ. Born on July 1, 1973 in Newport, Rhode Island to Alfred Villanueva and Loraine Saramba Ali was preceded in death by her father, who passed away in 1993.

Excluding 3 years residing on the Naval base in Patuxent River, MDAli was a proud resident of New Jersey. Ali’s family settled in Metuchen, N.J., where Ali made lifelong and loyal friends. A member of the Metuchen High School bands and orchestra, Ali’s musical talents led her to masterfully play the flute, piccolo as well as the saxophone. Ali participated in many musical activities with her bandmates. She graduated from MHS in 1991.

Ali attended Fairleigh Dickinson University for two years before earning an associate’s degree specializing in medical assistance from Lincoln Technical Institute.

As the oldest cousin and oldest of three siblings, she assumed the role of ever present caregiver. Ali continued nurturing young lives and became a beloved nanny to several families—taking care of their children like her own. She will be remembered for the joy she took in providing that care.

After working various jobs in the medical field, most recently Ali worked as the medical office assistant for Dr. Matthew J. DeLuca Neurology and Neurodiagnostics in Rahway, N.J., a position she greatly enjoyed.

Ali loved watching sports—especially basketball, baseball and football—and was a dedicated fan of the New York teams, especially the Giants,  Mets and Yankees.

Ali loved to cook, have fun nights out with her girlfriends, and spend time with her fur baby, Brady, a Shih Tzu. Ali had also recently dedicated her life to fitness and health and made new and dedicated friends during those endeavors.

A loving, daughter, sister, aunt, niece and friend, Ali is survived by her mother and stepfather, Loraine and Gerard Saramba; her brother Louie (Erin Hall); her sister Alma S. Sardone (Joseph); her nieces Isabella, Sara and Chloe; a nephew, Gabriel; her dog, Brady; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and coworkers.

A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.