Obituary of Jutta Erika Dorothea Messina

Jutta Erika Dorothea Messina passed away on December 30, 2021. Known affectionately as Judy to most of her friends and Omi to her family, Jutta was born in Botzow, a small town outside of Berlin, Germany, on February 17th, 1940. Anyone who knew her can attest that she was one of the strongest women they knew. She survived the occupation of communist Germany, several years in a refugee camp, and other significant hardships and health issues. She was happy to be able to return to Botzow a few years ago, leaving her with happy memories instead of war-torn images. Her greatest joy was being with her daughters Lisa Bertoli and Tania (Braden) Pritz, and especially her granddaughters Gianna (fiance Tim Dahl) and Mia Bertoli and Francesca and Julia Howard, lights of her life. It is not surprising that the spouses and boyfriends of “all of her girls” asked for her blessing of their relationships; you didn’t want to mess with the matriarch! She secretly wished to be a doctor and had a love of plants and nature, and she was delighted that her children and grandchildren inherited those interests. She was predeceased by her parents Fritz and Helene Eschrich, former husband Dominick, and her long-time partner, Aroldo San Emeterio and his family. She is also survived by her sisters Marga Dussmann (son William), and Erika (Jack) Santoro, and by many in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. She will be greatly missed. Viewing will be at Konopka Funeral Home, 9046 Palisade Avenue, North Bergen, NJ on Thursday, January 6th from 3-7 pm. WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT MASKS BE WORN. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to the www.pcdfoundation.org