Marie Dato

Marie N. Dato of Wayne, N.J. age 96, passed away peacefully on Wednesday November 12th, 2025.

Marie was a Sister, Wife, Mother, Grandma and GG! It was always about her Family, Friends and Faith.

Born in Jersey City to Carmine and Rose Napolitano in 1928 she grew up there with her brother Joe and sisters Francis and Dolores. Graduating from Lincoln HS and going on to work at Merrill Lynch in NYC.

She met her “Sweetheart” Anthony in the late 1940’s “Down the Jersey Shore” in Keansburg, and it was ALWAYS a duo from Day One - Marie and Tony.

Married in 1950, her next career - and most important to her - would begin. MOM. Marie and Tony were married for 71 years and raised a family of Four. The first Susan was born in 1953, followed by John in 1955 living in Union City (Above their Brother-In-Law’s STAR Ravioli store)…Moving to New Milford in 1957, Michele was born in 1960 and then Daniel in 1967.

New Milford would see Marie’s circle of friends grow larger, with time at Little League Games, Girl Scouts and Brownies and of course the New Milford Swim Club, where her family and friends would enjoy leisurely summer days. As the young couple on the street, Reichelt Road, their neighbors- The Schultz’s and Renner’s would become 2nd family. Sending their children to Ascension School in New Milford would again grow their circle - Church, CYO, Communions, Baptism’s Confirmations and Weddings through Ascension.

After an amazing 19 years in New Milford, their circle of friends would grow again, moving to Wayne in 1976. OLC became an anchor, and a new circle of friends grew. Again Communions, Confirmations and Weddings at OLC.

Marie and Tony’s family was to grow again and take on a new role as Grandparents. Susan got married to Stephen (Rutkowski) and had - Scott, Stephanie and Sara. Michele got married to John (Brigham) and had - Jessica, John Robert and Thomas. Years again of a building a friend’s base through their children’s and grandchildren’s friends. School events, Football games and of course backyard parties at the kids houses.

Marie’s and Tony’s family grew once again as GG and G2 (Great-grandparents). Jessica married Michael (Valter) and had Ryleigh in 2018 and Harper in 2020. John Robert married Lauren and had Jay in 2019, Hailey in 2022 and Summer in 2025. Stephanie married Nick (Pacchiano) and had Anthony in 2021 and Luca in 2024. Sara married Mike (O’Leary) and had Benjamin in 2021 and Arthur in 2023. 9 count ‘em 9 Great Grandkids for GG & G2.

Marie’s family grew once more with Dan marrying Amber in 2023 and her having a new Daughter-in-law.

Continuing their family ties were their “Cousins” group from Hoboken. 12 people who would get together to enjoy good times traveling the world to drink some good wine, have a great meal and enjoy each other’s company. Marie’s family of In-Law’s, Nephews and Niece’s through the Napolitano’s, Patruno’s, Cerruti’s, D’Onofrio’s and Dato’s were “a crew”… when getting together would need a full backyard to enjoy the day.

Marie - A Sister, Wife, Mother, Grandma and GG. A smile will always be brought thinking of her.