Heartbroken family, friends say goodbye to slain Colonia woman

• A memorial service was held Monday for Giorgina Cimino Nigro at Branchburg Funeral Home
• Cimino Nigro was killed July 22 inside the Colonia home she shared with her ex-husband
• Cimino Nigro%27s cremated remains are scheduled to be taken to California%2C where her mother lives

BRANCHBURG – Giorgina Cimino Nigro was remembered Monday as someone who could light up a room from the day she was born.

"She was wonderful. She was a breath of fresh air. She was sweet. Anyone who knew her would say that," Rose Renda said about her younger sister.

Renda, who gave the eulogy during a memorial service at Branchburg Funeral Home, said she remembers the September 1982 day when her little sister was born in a hospital room filled with family, balloons and stuffed animals, but mostly love.

"She brought sunshine to the hearts of every family member, relative and friend," Renda said. "As I look back, I was so proud of her beauty, intelligence and achievements, but most of all her pure heart."

Family and friends displayed their love for Cimino Nigro in a funeral room filled with hundreds of photos, a video, flowers, angel wings and a large blanket with a photo of the 32-year-old mother who was killed July 22 inside her Devon Road home in the Colonia section of Woodbridge.

Renda said the display was to say "a very heart-breaking, sad goodbye."

Cimino Nigro, a mother of three young children, died from blunt-force and sharp-force trauma, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.

Cimino Nigro lived in the home with her ex-husband, Vito Nigro, 42. He has been charged with murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Officials have not said what type of weapon was used.

Vito Nigro remained in fair condition at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick on Monday after he reportedly tried to commit suicide by jumping onto the Garden State Parkway on July 22 after his ex-wife was killed. He is being held on $750,000 bail.

A family's love

Cimino Nigro grew up in a loving family. Renda said her love for her family and her family's love for her were immense, and everyone always made time for each other.

Renda said her parents, Angela and the late Vincenzo Cimino, wouldn't go a day without smothering Cimino Nigro with love and attention.

"Giorgina was our princess," Renda said, adding that she and sister Pia Moscato had a special bond with their young sister.

She said her late brother Nick adored Cimino Nigro.

"She was the apple of his eye. He was so protective of her. We wonder if this tragedy would have happened if he had been alive," Renda said.

Renda said their brother Joe encouraged Cimino Nigro to pursue music and running. She said running together became their hobby.

Her brother Nino was her playmate and best friend, Renda said.

But most of all, Renda said Cimino Nigro loved her four children — Antonio, Gia, Adrina and the late Angelo.

"They were the flowers of her beautiful heart. She lived for them and wished so much that they could have the same upbringing as she had, filled with tenderness, love and fun," Renda said.

A rocky marriage

Family members have said that Cimino Nigro's married life was not always filled with love and tenderness. They said she had a rocky, sometimes abusive, relationship with Vito Nigro.

Woodbridge police records show that Vito Nigro was arrested and charged with aggravated assault last year for allegedly slashing his ex-wife's wrist with a knife, causing a 3-inch-long cut.

Claire Tucker of Plainfield said Cimino Nigro's death is breaking her and her stepson's hearts because she was one of the first friends she made when she moved to the area.

Cimino Nigro and her ex-husband worked together at European Hair Designs, a salon off Oak Tree Road in South Plainfield where Tucker and her stepson get their hair cut.

"I called her my little sister. We loved each other dearly," Tucker said. "I feel like I lost my best friend."

"Giorgina was all about life and love. She was beautiful inside and she was beautiful outside. She lived for her children. She adored them. All she ever wanted was to live a peaceful life with her children," Tucker said.

Unfortunately, Tucker said, there was "a monster" in Cimino Nigro's life who terrified her and the children.

"I tried very hard to help Giorgina and I'm going to carry that guilt for the rest of my life," said Tucker, who works in social services. Tucker, like many of Cimino Nigro's family members and friends, wore purple, the color that represents the struggle against domestic violence.

Phyllis Adams, executive director of Women Aware, a New Brunswick-based domestic violence agency, was joined by Sheila Fichtner, assistant executive director, at Cimino Nigro's memorial service to support the family.

"This is the type of situation we hope to never see in any family, any person," Adams said.

"We want everyone to know if they are dealing with domestic violence or know somebody who is dealing with domestic violence to call our 24-hour hotline," Adams said, adding that the number is 732-249-4504.

"We can provide emotional support, safety planning and referrals as needed," said Adams, adding that all services are free and confidential.

Tucker said Cimino Nigro seemed happiest the one year she and her ex-husband were separated because she was on her own with her children. She said Cimino Nigro's reconciliation with her ex-husband seemed to spark a downward spiral.

"This should never have happened," Tucker said. "I want her name to be heard, spoken frequently. I want her remembered with love. I want her children to remember her with love. No woman deserves this, no woman."

Cimino Nigro's cremated remains are scheduled to be taken to California, where her mother lives.

Staff Writer Suzanne Russell: 732-565-7335; srussell@mycentraljersey.com