Marie Hess

Marie A. Hess, 76, of Wayne, passed away peacefully at her home while in the loving presence of her dear family. 

Born and raised in Paterson, Marie was the daughter of Alexander and Frances (LaPuzz) Vitale.

After graduating from Eastside High School in Paterson with the Class of 1965, Marie attended William Paterson College which today is known as William Paterson University. She earned a degree in biology and started a career in healthcare as a licensed practical nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson. She later ran an electron microscope at Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City and worked as a histologic technician at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, NY. Marie’s professional journey eventually led her to the field of education. She earned her teacher certification at William Paterson University and taught at Mary Help of Christian Academy (MHCA) in North Haledon. Marie was an excellent educator who demonstrated enthusiastic advocation for all of her students. As the school’s director of Healthcare Connections, she was successful in securing medical internships for many students expressing career interests in healthcare. By the time she retired in 2022, her twenty-year career as an educator earned her the love, respect and admiration of students and colleagues alike.

Marie was the beloved wife of David Hess. They met when Marie came into David’s father’s optician’s practice as a patient. Their first date was to the former Paris Inn in Wayne. They soon fell in love and ultimately exchanged their wedding promises at the former Wayne Manor in Wayne. After a honeymoon in Disney World Marie and David began married life together in Pompton Lakes. They later lived in West Paterson before moving their home in Wayne where they remained to the present. They were truly blessed by the birth of their daughter Carly. 

Marie’s leisure-time interests were numerous and varied. As a young woman she traveled to Italy and Ireland and was an avid horseback rider. She loved fishing off the jetties down the Jersey Shore and taking care of her freshwater fish tanks at home. Tending to her vegetables proved to be a great time of relaxation which also brought the reward of fresh makings for cooking. 

Above all else, Marie’s greatest love and devotion was to her family. She and David and Carly took regular trips to Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut and Marie and David celebrated twenty-five years of marriage with a trip to Las Vegas. Marie adored her two grand-nieces Olivia and Maddison. She spent as much time as she could with them and loved spoiling them. 

Marie was a beautiful, loving and kind person who would do anything to help a friend in need. She touched the lives of many and will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. 

Marie was the beloved wife of David Hess, blessed in marriage for 41 years. She was the precious mother of Carly Hess of Wayne; dearly loved daughter of her late father Alexander (1995) and her loving mother Frances of Wayne; dear sister of her late brother Alexander (1958) and her sister Linda Romanyschyn and husband John of Bloomingdale; dear godmother of Kristen Allemand and husband Scott; and doting great-aunt of Olivia and Maddison.  

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Marie’s memory are asked to consider: 

Salesian Sisters of Mary Help of Christian

659 Belmont Avenue

North Haledon, NJ 07508

Please send your gifts to the attention of Sister Mary Rinaldi and indicate that it’s in memory of Marie Hess.