Father makes extended remarks at ceremony in Summit
By Payal Marathe, Packet Media Group
More than 400 people gathered Tuesday morning at the Unitarian Church in Summit for what Paige Aiello’s father called a “premature celebration” of the life of the 21-year-old college student.
The services came six weeks after she was reported missing April 9 from her Hillsborough home. On May 8, police reported finding Ms. Aiello’s body along the Hudson River in New York City. She was an apparent suicide, police said.
While the events marked days of mourning, Tuesday’s ceremony emphasized Ms. Aiello’s lasting influence on her friends and family.
Christopher Aiello noted that the true celebration of his daughter’s life should have come following her graduation from law school or the birth of her children. Still, he said, he was deliberately speaking about his daughter in present tense — her contagious smile and laughter will “forever be embedded” in the minds and souls of those that knew her, he said.
Along with a prayer and video tribute, the celebration included remembrances by Ms. Aiello’s friends, family members and mentors.
Her childhood tennis coach, Larry Johnson, said he wanted to change the atmosphere in the room to reflect Paige’s upbeat and uplifting attitude.
”How do you think of Paige Aiello and not smile?” he asked. “You have to smile, because she’s still here in our hearts, and if she was in this room right now she would be holding your hand and making you feel better.”
Several of Ms. Aiello’s closest friends also said they would continue to think of her as a major part of their lives. Sara Cassimatis, a high school classmate, addressed Ms. Aiello directly throughout her speech, assuring her that she would always be the glue that holds her high school group of friends together.
Paige’s cousin Callie Natiello sang the popular Chrissie Hynde song, “I’ll Stand By You,” to honor her, while older sister Erin Aiello and aunt Alyssa Aiello both spoke about her ongoing impact on their lives.
”Paige, I’ll always carry your heart in mine,” Erin Aiello said.
Alyssa Aiello shared a story of how Paige’s cousin Callie has written “Paige, you’re the best cousin ever” all over her dry erase board — in permanent marker. Like the never-fading compliment, Paige’s brightness is “impossible to erase,” she said.
Reverend Kim Tomaszewski underscored the theme of the celebration, explaining that “death is not the ultimate reality.” Instead, she asked everyone to remember Paige fondly and continue sharing in her legacy.
”Life leaves a mark on the universe that death shall not erase, and we demand that Paige’s death will not be the story of her life,” Rev. Tomaszewski said.
A viewing on Monday at the Hillsborough Funeral Home drew about 700 people. Tuesday’s service was followed by burial at the Fairview Cemetery in Westfield.
Paige Aiello earned her bachelor’s degree, with honors, from The College of New Jersey, and would have received her degree at commencement on Thursday, May 16.
Several graduating students wore peach ribbons in honor of Ms. Aiello’s favorite color, and a front-row chair was left open with Ms. Aiello’s name on it.
She was co-captain of the school’s varsity tennis team and was expecting to start at Rutgers School of Law in the fall. Her diploma jacket was presented to her parents at Tuesday’s celebration.
Editor’s note: This story was updated Friday, May 24, to revise the estimated number of attendees at the service. According to church leaders, there were 420 people building in the sanctuary and rooms with live television feeds. An estimated 254 people viewed the celebration live on the Internet, with more than 1,000 views overnight, according to Vanessa Rush Southern, parish minister.
The number of attendees at Monday’s viewing hours at the funeral home came from estimates from the facility’s personnel.

