Fay Rothwell

Fay Rothwell (nee Amico), age 103, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Fay was born and raised in Buffalo, NY and was one of five children to Anthony and Marietta Amico.  She was part of a group in our society that has become known as “The Greatest Generation.”  While growing up in Buffalo, she attended Hutchinson High School graduating with the class of 1937.  Not long after leaving school, Fay and her family moved to Passaic.  Fay found work quickly in the garment industry as an assembly line worker mending fabric manufacturing lady’s hand bags. These skills she passed down to her children and other family members over the years.

During her time as a young adult, it wasn’t uncommon for young ladies to dress up in their “Sunday best” and walk around the town.  One Sunday, Fay and her sisters were approached by a car of several young men.  The young men convinced Fay and her sisters to hop in the car and take a ride to Garrett Mountain.  Being that there were too many girls and not enough seats in the car, Fay had no choice but to sit on one of the young man’s lap.  The handsome young man was George Rothwell.  George and Fay hit it off great and immediately started dating. They fell in love and were married only a few months later on June 9, 1940 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Passaic.

The newlywed couple settled in Passaic.  Fay would devote herself to being a full time homemaker. George enlisted in the United States Merchant Marines. Following his discharge, the couple settled in Clifton where they resided for about two years. While living there, the couple welcomed the births of their first two children.  In 1951, the family moved to Elmwood Park, at that time known as East Paterson. George and Fay welcomed the births of their next four children while Fay was in her forties! Fay and her family stayed in Elmwood Park until 1980 when most of their children had grown and they moved to Rockledge, Florida where they lived until the year 2000.  George lost his vision that year, and Fay decided that she and George would move back to New Jersey and settled in Wayne. After George died, Fay moved in with her daughter, Terry Durr and her family. She lived there for 12 years until Fay moved to Victoria Mews Assisted Living in Boonton.

Fay was a Columbiette, a Catholic Women’s Organization affiliated with the local Knights of Columbus.  She was a member of the Italian American Club while living in Florida where her husband George, although being English and Irish, was President of the organization.  Fay was a devoted member of the Rosary Society and the Golden Age of Wayne. Fay was devoutly catholic and she and her family were parishioners of Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne, St Mary’s Church in Rockledge, FL and St Anne’s in Fair Lawn, NJ. Fay attended Passaic County Adult Day Care which her family affectionately referred to as “Her Club.”  Wherever Fay went she was sure to make friends. She had a very outgoing personality and was well loved everywhere she went and by everyone that she met.  She enjoyed spending time with friends, playing card games and going bowling and more.  She was a great cook, famous throughout her family for her spaghetti and meatballs, and her braciola and cardona. She was a gracious and wonderful host cherishing family events and holidays.  Fay was always able to see the best in people and would compliment everyone. Fay was blessed with a long and healthy life and was always known to credit her longevity to her daily nip of Scotch whiskey.

Aside from all of Fay’s talents, hobbies, and interests, her greatest passion was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Fay than spending time with her large and loving family.  Fay and George treasured an amazing sixty seven years of loving and loyal marriage until George’s passing in June of 2007.  Fay was a truly special person who touched the lives of everyone she met and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.

Fay is survived by her two sons; George Rothwell and his wife Alice of Napa Valley, CA, and John Rothwell and his wife Renee of Palm Coast, FL, four daughters; Marietta Steransak and her husband Steve of Kinnelon, NJ, Betty Bader and her husband Chuck of Nashville, TN, Patty Bullman and her husband Gary of Wayne, and Terry Durr and her husband Gary of Wayne, twelve grandchildren; David Rothwell and his wife Megan of Austin, TX, Dawn Rothwell and her wife Faye of Napa, CA, Steven Steransak and his long-time companion Janet of Haskell, NJ, Tracy Burns and her husband Matthew of Ramsey, NJ, Jill Thompson and her husband Dave of Nashville, TN, Eric Bader and his wife Jessica of Nashville, TN, Lisa Olivo and her husband Dan of Rutherford, NJ, Kelly Durr of Orlando, FL, Ryan Durr and his wife Jenna of New York City, Erin Durr of Wayne, Christine Cuvo and her husband Ben of Springfield, PA, and Michael Bullman of Seattle, WA, ten great grandchildren; Vinnie Rothwell and his wife Hailey of Napa, CA, Krystal Rothwell of Napa, CA, Anastasia Burns of Ramsey, NJ, Mary Charles Bader of Nashville, TN, Charlotte “Lottie” Elizabeth Bader of Nashville, TN, William Thompson of Nashville, TN, Robert Olivo of Rutherford, NJ, Charlie Olivo of Rutherford, NJ, Liam Cuvo of Springfield, PA, and Rowan Cuvo of Springfield, PA, five step grandchildren; Luke and Jake Laibovitz, and Jonah, Jacob, and Josh Robertson. She was looking forward to the arrival of her great great grandchild in December!  She was predeceased by her husband George Rothwell in 2007, and her siblings Mary Cannata, Teresa Weiler, John Amico, and Elvira Petz.  

In lieu of flowers please consider giving to Boston Children’s Hospital, Pediatric Transplant Division, 401 Park Drive, Suite 602, Boston, MA 02215, who saved so many children especially our Lilah Durr.http://www.childrenshospital.org