Obituary of Mary Grace Abbondanzo

Mary G. Abbondanzo of Bernardsville, NJ passed away on Thursday, June 12, 2014 following a short illness. She left this world and entered eternal life peacefully surrounded by her family at her bedside. She was 88 years of age. Funeral arrangements are by Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, 9 Church Street, Bernardsville, NJ 07924. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church, 111 Claremont Road, Bernardsville, NJ 07924 on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 11 am. Entombment will follow immediately at Our Lady Chapel Mausoleum at Holy Cross Cemetery, 145 Mount Airy Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920. Mary's family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, June 28, 2014 from 9 until 10:30 am. Born at home on April 12, 1926, Mary was a lifelong resident of Bernardsville and a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Parish. She was a proud alumnus of both The School of St. Elizabeth, the class of 1940, and Bernards High School, the class of 1944 where she was recognized for her high academic achievement. Following her high school graduation, she was employed at the Newark Public Library, Newark, NJ for one year before accepting a position at The New Jersey Bell Telephone Company, also in Newark. While at NJ Bell, she made impactful and significant contributions to the management and operation of the company while serving in several departments and as a Line Assignment Manager. She achieved and enjoyed success in her career with a major corporation in an era where such opportunities for women were not nearly as commonplace as they are today. Her career culminated, after 38 years, with her formal retirement in 1983. Mary was a beloved and respected family member who enjoyed a loving and active family life that spanned 5 generations. She shared and participated in numerous family events through the years ranging from formal occasions such as weddings and baptisms to more simple events such as birthday celebrations, football tailgates, and backyard cookouts. She always enjoyed the simple pleasure of good conversation with friends and family over a fresh cup of coffee. She was a devoted and proud American who regularly attended the Bernardsville Memorial Day Parade, attending her last parade in 2013. She was an avid traveler who enjoyed trips to many popular destinations in the United States and across Europe, including a visit to Rome and Vatican City in 1975. She was incredibly loved and will be sorely missed by family and friends. Mary is survived by her brothers Carmine of Greenville, NC and John of Morristown, NJ, and a loving and devoted sister Rose Piano, of Madison, NJ. She is also survived by 21 nephews and nieces, 33 great nephews and nieces, and 23 great, great nephews and nieces. She was pre-deceased by brothers Louis (1993), Frank (1993), Vincent (1996), Pat (2000), and sisters Mary Grace (1921) Antoinette (2002), and Philomena (2004). She was also pre-deceased by her best friend in life, Rosemary Stanley (2012). In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary's name may be sent to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church, or The Bernardsville Fire Company #1 / First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 745, Bernardsville, NJ 07924.