Alda Morando

Alda Morando, of Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ, passed away peacefully Wednesday, November 16th 2022 at the age of 98. Alda was born in 1924 in Montegrosso, Italy the daughter of the late Onorato and the late Gemma (Forno) Cortese. Growing up, Alda played a key role in the family business of selling goods to the local farming community, and eventually helped her mother open a store in downtown Asti, Italy after her father passed away.

She married her beloved husband of 49 years, Remo Morando, in Asti in 1947 before moving with him to New York City. Alda quickly found work as a talented seamstress, which led to a career that spanned 21 years at Stern’s department store. During this time period, she welcomed her two loving daughters, Esther and Christine into the family.

Alda had a knack for fashion and she epitomized the subtle glamour of the 40s and 50s with her impeccably tailored outfits, many of which she made herself during late nights over her sewing machine. An incredible cook, Alda showed her love for family through her traditional northern Italian dishes, which everyone looked forward to during each visit or holiday. Alda was known as a force of nature by all who knew her, never afraid to speak her mind up through her final days. A devout Roman Catholic, faith was always central to Alda’s life. She took great care to dedicate a rosary to her family members every week, and was an active member of each parish she was a part of.

She is survived by her her loving sister, Miranda Risso (Cortese); her cherished daughters, Esther Achtau and her husband, Dr. Max Achtau, and Christine Wagner and her husband Gary Wagner; her cherished grandchildren, Max Achtau II and his wife Julie Achtau, Dr. Eric Achtau and his wife Eileen Achtau, Maria Konkel (Achtau) and her husband Martin Konkel, Jeffrey Wagner, Katherine McCutcheon (Wagner) and her husband Aaron McCutcheon, Lauren Gray (Wagner) and her husband Steven Gray; her great-grandchildren Elizabeth, Max, Alexander, and Aiden; and her nieces and nephews Gloria, Gigliola, Alessandro, Giuliana, and Rita. Alda was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her brother Giovanni Cortese, and her niece Ana Mayer.

Visiting hours will be offered Sunday, November 20th, 2022, from 2:00-4:00 pm and 7:00 - 9:00 pm at The Morrison Etheridge Funeral Home, 86 Bartholdi Ave, Butler, NJ. A funeral Mass will be offered Monday, 10:00 am at St. Anthony of Padua RC Church, 65 Bartholdi Ave, Butler, NJ. Burial to follow in Our Lady of the Magnificat Cemetery, Kinnelon, NJ.