Marie Padula

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Marie Padula, (nee Trifari), age 91, a long-time resident of Wayne, NJ on Sunday, January 8, 2023.

Marie was born to Joseph and Natalina Trifari in Long Branch NJ, where her family lived until she was 11 years old.  Marie was the third oldest of 8 children.  She carried the happy memories of that childhood home in her heart all her life.  When life circumstances changed, the family moved to Paterson, NJ, where her mother’s extended family resided.  Marie settled into her new life with her sister and brothers, and proudly made the town her own, forming beautiful life- long friendships.  She graduated from Central High School and chaired the committees that planned every reunion for her class through the 65th year.

From her vast circle of Paterson friends, she met and married Michael Padula in 1952.  They eventually left the familiarity of Paterson when they moved with their two young daughter to Wayne, NJ in 1959.  However, she did not leave behind the early friendships she cultivated there.  New relationships also began with families in Lions Head Lake and all parts of Wayne.  Actually, she made friends wherever she was and in the true spirit of Marie, she sustained every one of those friendships throughout her entire life.

Marie was the parish secretary at Our Lady of Consolation Church in Wayne while it was being established and during the early years.  She became a respected pillar of the parish and was once proud to serve as President of the Rosary Society.  She remained active in Amity and the Seniors Group and continued to be a faithful and giving parishioner.  Her Christian faith was evident in the way she lived her life.  She served those in need, and her benevolent generosity benefited many charitable organizations.  Once her grandchildren were grown, she became a nanny.  The three families she cared for over the years still hold a special place in their heart for her.

Marie’s outgoing personality, positive energy, sense of style, and devotion to her friends and family is legendary.  Words that many use to describe her are larger than life, immortal, the matriarch, a fashionista, glamorous, a class act, vivacious, and a force.  Yes, she was a force of life and love.  Any superlative would be befitting to describe Marie.

Marie was active her whole life.  She bowled back in the day and was an avid tennis player, belonging to many leagues.  She walked for miles every day well into her 80’s. She loved watching football and tennis.  She knew all the stats, and could call a penalty before the officials.  She frequented AC and was also a competent horse race handicapper.  Yes, she loved all games, including her weekly card games with her friends.  She was even playing gin rummy with Bill the night before she passed away.  She enjoyed NYC, Broadway, and music (especially Streisand).  She later supported local theater productions.

Marie loved to travel.  Along with her husband, she visited most islands; Paradise Island and Aruba being her favorites.  They spent their 25th Wedding Anniversary in Monaco.  She traveled throughout Europe, and later enjoyed “girl trips” with different groups of friends to all parts of the US.  She loved the monument parks, as well as the ocean and beaches.  She spent summers at the Jersey Shore.  Marie loved to cook, entertain and decorate her home for every holiday, up to and including this past Christmas.

Family was most important to Marie. Along with her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren, she adored her dozens of nieces and nephews and many godchildren who always included her in all of their important life events.  Her favorite night of the year was the Trifari Christmas Party, where she will be forever renowned and remembered for “The Scroll.” She has wonderful sisters-in-law, loving cousins, and cherished friends, with whom she enjoyed consistent kinship.  Her greatest sadness was the passing of her sister and five of her brothers, as well as many treasured friends.  Her husband of 62 years also predeceased her in 2016.

She will be missed by her loving family and friends as she was undeniably a special person who made everyone feel like they were the special one.  The world already feels less vibrant without her.

Marie is survived by her two loving daughters:  Janice Billera of Basking Ridge, and Roberta Enright of Totowa; three adored grandchildren:  William Enright and his wife Kristen, Michael Enright and his wife Mariel, and Michele Scasserra and her husband Michael; five precious great-grandchildren:  Mason, Ethan, Emilia, Calvin, and Elijah; and one brother Frank Trifari.