Marie Ricca (Meme), age 89, a longtime resident of Wayne (65 years), was reunited with her late husband, Donald, on Sunday, November 1, 2026, after a brief illness.

Marie was born and raised in Paterson, NJ, the youngest of four children of John and Irene Overmere. She graduated from Eastside High School in 1955 and worked various jobs at Grants and the telephone company. But her real passion was sewing and creating fashions, a skill passed down from her mother who was a seamstress in the factories of Paterson. Marie learned to make her own clothes at a young age and began sewing outfits for her dolls, a hobby that would blossom into a lifelong passion and her gift to many.

After high school, and while working for the telephone company, she met a true “gentleman”, Donald Ricca, through a co-working and mutual friend. At the time, neither had a clue that they would become each other’s best friends, confidants, partners in crime, ying/yang – soulmates for life – but they did, and on June 8, 1957, they were married. Known to many as “Donnie and Marie”, they were the perfect pair, complimenting each other’s traits – living their dream life together – through the good and the not-so-good – but always TOGETHER – for 66 years until Don’s passing in 2023.

Marie was a devout Catholic, attending 8am mass daily up until her husband’s illness. She was one of the founding parishioners of Our Lady of the Valley (OLV) in Wayne for over 65 years. Throughout those years, Marie spent countless hours volunteering and supporting the OLV parish and OLV grammar school – from counting cash at BINGO, to working at fashion shows, to performing at fashion shows, to working in the school office or classrooms, to being a Eucharistic minister, to cleaning the church on weekends – Marie was willing and able to do anything to help the church and school. She was also very involved in CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) back in the 70’s. Providing help and guidance to the youth of the parish and being their chaperone on various activities, like visiting the elderly or apple picking. For many years she also opened her home to many youth of the parish for Catechism classes as they prepared for Confirmation. In addition to OLV, Marie also volunteered at St. Joseph’s Hospital with the late Sr. Mary Christine, where she helped distribute communion, visited patients, and read to them to lift their spirits. People always felt comfortable talking to Marie, and she never met a stranger, only people she hadn’t struck up a conversation with yet. She was a bright light for many over the years – young and old and in between!

Family & Her Faith was everything to Marie. She was blessed with two daughters, Debbie and Donna, and she cherished every moment with them. She somehow made it to every activity they were part of throughout the years (modeling, swimming, softball, basketball, tennis, track, intermural events, etc), supporting them endlessly in all their pursuits – regardless of their talent (ha ha). She loved to put her sewing skills to use for them by crafting matching outfits sometimes and others through the years including - Halloween costumes, Holiday outfits, dolls, prom dresses, intramural outfits, teddy bears, and anything the girls wanted. There was nothing Marie wouldn’t try to do for them! When her grandchildren came along, Marie gave them the very same love, support, and handmade wardrobe, as well as attending every event there was – graduations, Baptisms, Communions, Confirmations, football games, basketball games, dance recitals, field hockey games - the list is endless! Her grandchildren brought her joy EVERY day of her life. Just the mention of their name made her smile. Their “feast days” were an important day for Marie and she would make sure they were celebrated – always with a card and a call.  

Her passion for fashion, creativity, and doll collecting was quite special. Of all her creative outlets, making dolls and teddy bears were amongst her favorites. Marie must have made thousands of bears and dolls, many with a unique outfit or attributes for specific individuals. Marie was always hoping to bring someone happiness through her talents. During her summertime in Cape Cod with her family, she learned to repair dolls at a reputable doll repair school. She loved collecting and researching old and new dolls, and knew they sometimes needed some tender loving care. She was endearingly known as the Doll Doctor or Doll Fixer – nothing too big or too small for Marie to fix – from antique old dolls to a rag doll for a little girl. Over the years, she amassed a doll collection that was truly priceless. In the years after Donald’s passing, Marie’s mission was focused on “remembrance” bears. People from church or friends of friends would give Marie old clothing from their deceased loved one and Marie would create a small bear or pillow with the fabric and her own pattern – very meticulously laying out the fabric so it would look just so - so the memory of their loved one would live on. Her goal was to create some comfort in their time of grief and loss. This was very therapeutic to Marie through her grieving.

Amongst Marie’s other talents was cooking for her family and friends. Known for her stuffed shells, stuffed mushrooms, and a killer chocolate cake with REAL chocolate icing made from scratch, Marie was an incredible cook. She didn’t look it, thanks to a remarkable metabolism, but she had an appetite to rival a professional football player. She loved her sweets and could famously out-eat anyone at the table.

Marie will be remembered for her generosity, kindness, smile, laughter, and her impeccable style. She dressed simply but always neat and fashionable. Her modeling in fashion shows and her LARGE clothes/shoe collection gave her the name of “FASHION-ista” to her granddaughter! She had closets overflowing with boots, shirts, jackets, and skirts – most made or tailored by Marie – so they fit her properly. She loved to wear a turtleneck even in the summertime, and because of her small stature, she was often forced to shop in the junior departments to find clothes that fit. What people will treasure most about Marie isn’t what she wore, but how she made them feel: welcome, cared for, and loved. She leaves behind a family, a church community, and so many friends who will miss her dearly, but the warmth and handmade love she shared will stay with everyone lucky enough to have known her - for the rest of their lives.

Marie is predeceased by: her parents John and Irene Overmere, her siblings Irene Moltane (husband Ernie Moltane), Edward Overmere, and Elizabeth Messenger (husband Wallace Messenger), and her soul mate, best friend, and husband of 66 years, Donald Ricca.

She is survived by: her daughters, Debbie Ricca and Donna Siconolfi and her husband Philip (aka favorite son-in-law); her grandchildren, first born grandson Dominic Siconolfi and his fiancé Monse Vallejo, her favorite granddaughter Marissa Siconolfi, and her youngest grandson Angelo Siconolfi; her goddaughters Christine Wimberly and Darlene Vazquez and their cherished families, her nephews Edward Overmere, Gary Moltane and his wife Gloria, Dougie Moltane, as well as cousins and other family members; and the caring hospice team and many compassionate angel caregivers (forever our family): Claresa, Tina, and Emma.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you carry on Marie’s essence by “passing your talents/kindness forward” in her name – be it actions or memorial donations. Let’s spread the positive light for Marie.