Irma Cotugno, 95, passed away on Thursday August 27, 2026 surrounded by the love of her family. The daughter of Nicola and Rosa Plati, Irma grew up on a street named Broadway in Jersey City,NJ where her bright personality first began to shine. She often joked that she “danced on Broadway,” and in her own way, she truly did. She always lit up every room she entered.

Irma was the youngest of four siblings and cherished her place among them. She adored her siblings, Mary Montalbano, Dolores Importuno and John Plati. She loved telling stories of how she and her sisters were always the best dressed in their neighborhood. Their mother who was a fabulous seamstress and made all their fashionable clothes, and Irma took great pride in getting dressed up. Together, they called themselves the “DIM sisters,” (Dolores, Irma, Mary) a family joke that lasted a lifetime. They took pictures after church on Sundays at the park, a special tradition. Her bond with her brother, John Plati, was equally special, full of teasing and laughter.

A true force of nature, Irma was the first daughter in her family to earn her driver’s license, something of which she was so proud. She held many jobs throughout her life, including working for the Harry Winston company in downtown Jersey City. She loved going out and shopping in New York City, especially going to Macy’s with her mother during Christmas to see the magical window displays and going “out on the town” whenever she could. One of her favorite stories to tell was the night she met Dean Martin at a nightclub, a memory she carried proudly.

Irma also had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to make people laugh. She often told a funny story to friends and strangers that she worked as a linguist and dialectician for the United Nations just to see their reaction. She laughed at that joke every single time. Speaking of her laugh, it was infectious and one we will never forget.

She had a lifelong love for Marilyn Monroe, admiring her beauty and iconic style. Irma kept Marilyn memorabilia throughout her home that made her smile. It was her way of keeping a bit of Hollywood glamour close to her.

Irma married Arthur Cotugno, the love of her life, and together they built a family and a home filled with warmth and tradition. Their marriage of 50 years was a true partnership, full of love and laughs and adventures. In the 1970s, Irma and Arthur left New Jersey for Florida, settling in Fort Lauderdale and continued to build a life there from that moment on. Florida became their home and the place where their family’s story grew. Irma and Arthur raised a family rooted in love, for their three children, Kim, Art, and Nick. They were the center of her world. She poured her heart into motherhood and her love for them was endless, unconditional, protective, and unwavering.

Her greatest joy was being a grandmother to Michael, Jonathan, Alexandra, and Christian, whom she adored celebrating every milestone and achievement. She was the kind of grandmother who made each child feel cherished, offering her love and endless affection. Her family was her greatest pride, and she never missed an opportunity to brag about them.

She was close to her many sisters-in-laws and brothers-in-laws, embracing them as siblings and sharing countless holidays, dinners, and memories together. She was a cherished aunt to all her nieces and nephews, each of whom felt her warmth and love. She was a second grandmother to her grand nieces and nephews as well. Irma had a way of making every member of her extended family feel loved and special.

Later in life, Irma worked part-time for Royal Caribbean, a job she adored. She loved greeting travelers at the airport and escorting them to their ship, always with her smile and charm. The job also came with a perk she treasured which was the opportunity for her and Arthur to be able to cruise worldwide. They traveled often, but their trips to Italy were her favorite.

Irma was an extraordinary cook, and anyone lucky enough to sit at her table knew they were experiencing something special. Her Sunday dinners were famous and her meatballs were unforgettable. Her kitchen was truly a special place, and you often left her home a few pounds heavier. She became a second mother to countless friends of her children, known affectionately as “Mrs. C”, Mama C, or just “Irma” to many. Her home was always open and her advice always ready for anyone who needed it. No matter her age, she was forever “one of the girls.”

Even as she began to slow down later in life, Irma remained sharp and full of energy. She continued to cook for her family as much as she could, and when she could no longer stand at the stove herself, she would sit close by and direct every step, because it had to be done “Irma’s way.”

Irma’s life was defined by love for her family, her traditions, her stories, and the people she welcomed into her world. Her light and her legendary spirit will be cherished forever.

Irma was the beloved wife of the late Arthur Cotugno. Mother to Kim Cotugno, Arthur Jr and his wife Jacquie Cotugno and Nick Cotugno. Loving Grandmother to Michael, Jonathan, Alexandra and her husband Cam, and Christian.

Relatives and Friends are invited to the visitation on Tuesday Sept.1, 4-8pm at Scarano Funeral Home, 4351 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, FL 33021. Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday Sept. 2 at 10:00 am, Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church, 901 NE 2nd St., Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Etombment of Mausoleum to follow at Lauderdale Memorial Park, 2001 SW 4th Ave. Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.