Elena Javate Cozzitorto, 59, of Monmouth Junction died Sunday, Aug. 12, at home after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
She was born in Centro Cauayan, Isabela, Philippines. She graduated from the University of Santo Thomas in Manila with a Bachelor of Science in medical technology. She immigrated to the United States in 1971. While in the United States, she worked as a medical technologist in several hospitals in New Jersey. After leaving Livingston Hospital, she took the position of serologist in the Philip Levine Laboratory, a unit of Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, a division of Johnson & Johnson. While there for 29 years, she worked in several areas and was recognized for her dedication and was promoted to supervisor.
Daughter of the late Jose Javate, she is survived by her husband, Joseph A. Cozzitorto Jr; her sons, Jason and Eric; her mother, Paulita Javate; sisters, Perla Javate, Aurora Javate De Dios and her husband, Angelito, Luz Javate, Victoria Javate Holganza and her husband Paul , and Joselita Javate Daniel and her husband, Amir; a brother, Jose Javate Jr. and his wife Mylenne. She also is survived by numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews in the United States and the Philippines.
A funeral mass of Christian burial was celebrated Saturday, Aug. 18, at St. Augustine of Canterbury R.C. Church, 45 Henderson Road, Kendall Park. Burial followed at Holy Cross Burial Park, South Brunswick. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to advance research in pancreatic cancer at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave., New York, N.Y. 10021 and Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, Penn. 19111.

