This page has been visited 1009 times
Mary DePalma
7/13/2010

Mary Susie DePalma (nee Fiume) age 85 of Pequannock passed into life eternal on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at the Chilton Memorial Hospital.  Her passing was quiet and tranquil after a long struggle with her declining health.

She was born in Jersey City where she spent most of her life until moving to Pequannock seven years ago.  After her son Louis passed away she wanted to be close to her daughter and care giver Josephine Panzino who lived nearby.

Mary received her formal education at Jersey City Public School No. five and also at Dickenson High School in Jersey City.  In that depression era, like many other people, she had to leave school to help support her family.

As part of Mary’s life journey she had two children namely Josephine and Louis.  Louis contracted a disease called multiple sclerosis and Mom insisted, with all of her motherly instincts and abilities, that she would take care of Louis no matter how difficult life became.   As things turned out she took care of her loving son until his passing at fifty years of age.  A mother’s love is a powerful gift that God gives mothers to make them very special.  Mary exemplified that gift in a very spectacular manner.

Mary’s heritage was Italian.  Her parents came here settling in Jersey City just after World War I.  They originated in the Italian Province of Monopoli, Bari   Things were very difficult in regard to economics as well as politics and they wanted a better life for their children. They had heard of other folks that had traveled to the United States to settle and took a big chance by immigrating to America. Because of their personal sacrifice and courage Mary and her children and grandchildren are able to live the American Dream.

She will always be remembered as a wonderful wife, mother,  grandmother and great grandmother.  Mary made the best cookies and the best homemade pizza in the whole world.  She loved family gatherings, especially on holidays, and when she made cookies there was a mountain of  cookies, not just a few, all made with the an ingredient called love, to  everyone’s delight.

During World War II her brother Larry Fiume made hard and fast friends with Dominick DePalma.  When the two got back from the War Larry introduced Mary to Dominick and from that point on they became a couple.  They married on August 16, 1947 and they had thirty-eight years  of “good and loving” marriage together until Dominick’s passing in  1985.

Surviving this wonderful lady is her daughter Josephine Panzino of Wayne; two grandsons Peter Panzino and his wife Jennifer of Wayne  and David Panzino and his wife Tamara of Pequannock; four Great Grandchildren; Anthony, Dominick, Angelo and Damian Panzino.

Sadness visited her life journey on many occasions including the loss of her loving husband Dominick in 1985, her son Louis in 2003 and her three sisters Susie Panzino, Nancy Intini, Rose Caleprico, her brother
Larry Fiume; and her son-in-law Pasquale P. Panzino Jr. in January 1997.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 16, 2010 at 9 AM from the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne then to Saint Mary’s RC Church, Pompton Lakes where at 10 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered.  Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home on Thursday from 2-4, 7-9 PM.

Guest Book

7/14/2010

Dear Aunt Mary, If tears could bring you back you would be sitting next to us right now. But happiness is your reward in Heaven with Louis, Uncle Dom, Mommy and Aunt Nancy .... I will miss you so very much ... where will I go on Sundays, where will I turn when I need your company to keep mommy alive for me ...I Love YOU. You were always there for me..thank you! God rest your soul! You are with God ... pray for us now. With all my love, Theresa xxoxoxoxoxox

Theresa Tarasek

7/14/2010

R.I.P BELOVED GRANDMOTHER AND GREAT GRANDMOTHER... YOU WILL BE MISSED BY SO MANY PEOPLE. SHE WAS A WONDERFUL LADY AND WOULD GIVE THE WORLD TO ANYONE. I ENJOYED THE PASS 9 YEARS LIVING WITH ME AND TAKING CARE OF HER, EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS A LITTLE LOUD AT TIMES... NOW I MISS THE POTS AND PANS AT 3 AM IN THE MORNING. DONT KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE TILL ITS GONE.. ALWAYS IN MY HEARTS... LOVE DAVID, TAMARA, ANGELO & DAMIAN... JACK AND LOUIE <3

David Panzino

7/14/2010

I have many great memories of me & my Grandmother while I was growing up. You will be missed and never forgotten! One of the things I will miss the most is your pizza & onion pie! :) Love always, your sweatheart lips

Pete Panzino

7/14/2010

We will miss Great Grandma dearly & we loved her so much! Her cookies & pizza were soooo GOOD!:) Love Always, Anthony & Dominick

Anthony & Dominick Panzino

7/14/2010

I have so many memories of Grandma Mary. All the parties in Jersey City,the card games she loved to beat us at, She would make so much food we would eat till we were stuffed! She was never a woman to hold back her thoughts/feelings, that's one of the things I admired about her! She mill be missed & forever in our hearts! Love Always, Jennifer

Jennifer Panzino

7/14/2010

I'll miss u so much loved u like u were my grandma

Jackie Lima

7/14/2010

Dear Grandma-I remember a very long time ago, Peter said to me, "My Grandmother is having dinner would you like to go." Funny, I never was asked before to go to someone grandmother house-I said I will go. I walked into grandma house, and pete introduced me. She gave me a hug and welcome me. She reminded me of my Italian grandmother who, I lost when I was eleven. Everything, smelled so good in the house. She was cooking for days to get prepared for the feast, which she was so proud to cook for the family. Homemade italian cookies, onion pie, pizza, etc. She would spare no expense to feed you and to welcome you into her home. For years, I was welcome to grandma house for holidays-birthdays-and just for dinner. I loved every moment. The food, the noise and the stability of family was part of her home. She kept alive-what we take for granted today. Time passed- I got married-moved away and had a child. Last summer 2009, I had the chance to visit Grandma again. When she saw me, Tears filled her eyes and she given me a hug, which had to last ten minutes. We talked about her life and I told here about my life. All during that time she kept feeding me her home made itailan cookies. She made me feel welcome, as she did 23 years before. Her last letter she wrote to me a few months ago, she sent me a photo, take about twenty years ago, of all of us at her home, during one of the gatherings. She was a good soul and will always be in my heart. I wished my Son Colin got to meet her. She would have loved him and fed him cookies also. We love you and you will be missed-memories last forever!! Mark

Mark J. Mauro

7/14/2010

MY MOM LOVED HER FAMILY SO MUCH-SHE WAS THE BEST MOM ANY DAUGHTER COULD HAVE--SHE WILL BE MISSED DEARLY--BUT WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART FOREVER & EVER--MY SONS- DAUGHER-IN LAWS- & GRANDCHILDREN WHERE HER LIFE--SHE WILL WATCH OVER YOU FROM HEAVEN--- WITH LOVE TO MY MOM- XXXXXX

Josephine Panzino

7/15/2010

To the Panzino family, Mary will be missed by many who had the pleasure of knowing her. For the past couple of years that we have become family Mary and all of you have made us feel as if we have been a family forever. The wonderful memories that we have in our heart's from the wedding's, parties and just being in Mary's company will stay strong in my heart forever. Yes i will miss her cookies also but most of all i will miss Mary, may she rest in piece, I LOVE HER AND ALL OF YOU VERY MUCH Sal & Joyce Lima

Sal Lima


Would you like to leave your thoughts and sign the guest book?


 
Your Name 


Your Email 
 
Your Message 
Would you like to send the family a PRIVATE note of Condolence? What's this?