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February 26, 2014
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly, Little Sisters of the Poor, 140 Shepherds Lane, Totowa, NJ on Friday, February 28 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM. A Funeral Mass will be offered at 10 AM on Saturday, March 1, also at the St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly, Little Sisters of the Poor.
Palma Parrillo (nee Sabato), age 99 of Pompton Plains, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 26, 2014. She was a resident at St. Joseph's Home for the Elderly in Totowa for the past 4 years.
Palma was born in the Bronx, NY on November 5, 1914, the only child to Italian immigrants Rocco and Tina Sabato. Unusual for a woman in the 1930’s, Palma not only graduated from high school, but she also went on to graduate from Hunter College with a Bachelor’s degree, followed by Columbia University where she earned her Master’s degree in Italian Studies 1938. Certainly her parents and children were very proud of what she had accomplished. She retired from the Rochelle Park Elementary School in 1977 after a twenty five year career as a teacher. Palma was proud of her time with the New Jersey Professional Women organization, and she had served as their president.
Palma was also a good Catholic. Over the years she attended Mass at St. Theresa’s in Paterson while living there, as well as St. Ann’s in Fairlawn. Most recently, she’s been living at the St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly (Little Sisters of the Poor) in Totowa where she relished in the faith filled community there.
While working on her Master’s degree, Palma met Joseph Parrillo, a fellow student who commuted to Columbia University from Paterson. Palma was quick to let Joe know she was already engaged to be married, but when Joe asked “do you have a ring?” she answered honestly; “no.” Joe was persistent and asked her out on a date, letting her know that “Without a ring, you’re not officially engaged.” Their love blossomed rather quickly and Palma broke off the prior obligation. She and Joe were married on November 16, 1940 and enjoyed a short honeymoon at Atlantic City. During their 57 years of marriage, they traveled extensively, visiting much of Europe and the United States. They visited Italy nearly every other year. She and Joe had a loving marriage, were very close and enjoyed being together. Joe passed in 1997.
Palma’s children recall their mother as always being a “good listener,” offering wise advice, and loving them. She took the time to simply be their mom; to talk with them and care for them. Although they will miss her very much, they have a lifetime of memories to always carry with them forever.
Palma is survived by her daughter; Connie Hulbert and her husband Joe of Pompton Plains, NJ, her son; Dr. Joseph Parrillo and his wife Gale of Ridgewood, NJ, two grandchildren; Tina McCabe and her husband Michael of Pompton Plains, and Nicholas Parrillo and his wife Jenny of Woodbridge, CT, and five great-grandchildren: Maddie McCabe, Luke McCabe, Aiden McCabe, Lia Margaret McCabe, and Lena Parrillo. She was predeceased by her granddaughter Lisa Hulbert in 2012.
Friends wishing to make a donation in Palma’s memory are asked to please consider doing so to the Little Sisters of the Poor. Donations should be made to “St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly” and mailed to 140 Shepherds Lane, Totowa, NJ 07512. You can also visit www.littlesistersofthepoortotowa.org
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family at the St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly, Little Sisters of the Poor, 140 Shepherds Lane, Totowa, NJ on Friday, February 28 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM. A Funeral Mass will be offered at 10 AM on Saturday, March 1, also at the St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly, Little Sisters of the Poor.
February 26, 2014
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly, Little Sisters of the Poor, 140 Shepherds Lane, Totowa, NJ on Friday, February 28 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM. A Funeral Mass will be offered at 10 AM on Saturday, March 1, also at the St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly, Little Sisters of the Poor.
Palma Parrillo (nee Sabato), age 99 of Pompton Plains, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 26, 2014. She was a resident at St. Joseph's Home for the Elderly in Totowa for the past 4 years.
Palma was born in the Bronx, NY on November 5, 1914, the only child to Italian immigrants Rocco and Tina Sabato. Unusual for a woman in the 1930’s, Palma not only graduated from high school, but she also went on to graduate from Hunter College with a Bachelor’s degree, followed by Columbia University where she earned her Master’s degree in Italian Studies 1938. Certainly her parents and children were very proud of what she had accomplished. She retired from the Rochelle Park Elementary School in 1977 after a twenty five year career as a teacher. Palma was proud of her time with the New Jersey Professional Women organization, and she had served as their president.
Palma was also a good Catholic. Over the years she attended Mass at St. Theresa’s in Paterson while living there, as well as St. Ann’s in Fairlawn. Most recently, she’s been living at the St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly (Little Sisters of the Poor) in Totowa where she relished in the faith filled community there.
While working on her Master’s degree, Palma met Joseph Parrillo, a fellow student who commuted to Columbia University from Paterson. Palma was quick to let Joe know she was already engaged to be married, but when Joe asked “do you have a ring?” she answered honestly; “no.” Joe was persistent and asked her out on a date, letting her know that “Without a ring, you’re not officially engaged.” Their love blossomed rather quickly and Palma broke off the prior obligation. She and Joe were married on November 16, 1940 and enjoyed a short honeymoon at Atlantic City. During their 57 years of marriage, they traveled extensively, visiting much of Europe and the United States. They visited Italy nearly every other year. She and Joe had a loving marriage, were very close and enjoyed being together. Joe passed in 1997.
Palma’s children recall their mother as always being a “good listener,” offering wise advice, and loving them. She took the time to simply be their mom; to talk with them and care for them. Although they will miss her very much, they have a lifetime of memories to always carry with them forever.
Palma is survived by her daughter; Connie Hulbert and her husband Joe of Pompton Plains, NJ, her son; Dr. Joseph Parrillo and his wife Gale of Ridgewood, NJ, two grandchildren; Tina McCabe and her husband Michael of Pompton Plains, and Nicholas Parrillo and his wife Jenny of Woodbridge, CT, and five great-grandchildren: Maddie McCabe, Luke McCabe, Aiden McCabe, Lia Margaret McCabe, and Lena Parrillo. She was predeceased by her granddaughter Lisa Hulbert in 2012.
Friends wishing to make a donation in Palma’s memory are asked to please consider doing so to the Little Sisters of the Poor. Donations should be made to “St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly” and mailed to 140 Shepherds Lane, Totowa, NJ 07512. You can also visit www.littlesistersofthepoortotowa.org
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