Obituary of Marie L Pennimpede

Marie Cillo Pennimpede passed away at home on Tuesday, November 16,2010 after a short illness. She was 90 years old. Born in Hoboken, NJ, she lived in Mendham from age 3 and attended Hilltop School in Mendham and Morristown High. She is predeceased by her parents, Antonio and Fannie Cillo, and a brother who died at one month old. She was the eldest of ten children and helped to raise her siblings during the Great Depression. Marie is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Peter of Mendham, her three sisters, Rose and husband Sal Grievo, Ann Fondaco and Theresa and husband Jack Smith, all of Mendham, her five brothers, Peter and wife Alice Cillo of Mendham, Aniello (Nen) Cillo of Virginia, Anthony and wife Dolores Cillo of Middlesex, Dr. Joseph Cillo and fianc Tina Callahan of Chester, and James and wife Geri of Mendham. She is also survived by many dear nieces and nephews and their families. Marie was a World War II veteran, having enlisted in the Women's Army Corp in 1942. She served as a staff sergeant supervising 25 personnel in an army Mess Hall. After the war, Marie worked for the A&P in Madison where she met her husband, Peter. After marriage, she worked for the Morris School District attending to children with special needs. She later worked for many years supervising the cafeterias in the Mendham Borough school system and retired in 1982. Marie lived a very active life. She loved dancing and she and Peter would often be the first couple on the dance floor at gatherings. She was a die-hard Yankee fan. She enjoyed swimming at the YMCA, bowling in the Mendham Women's Pastime Club League, cruising to the islands and traveling on all the Mendham Seniors' trips. She and her husband loved camping and extensively traveled throughout much of the United States with family and friends. She was a member of St. Joseph's Parish and was involved in fund raising for St. Joseph's School by giving technician assistance with the many spaghetti dinners held in the 70's. She also enjoyed cooking for her extended family. In addition, Marie loved gardening, building and remodeling homes, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, knitting and crafting. Finally and due to all of this, she was the family matriarch, a strong role model and a positive influence in the lives of her large family and many friends. She will be greatly missed. Visitation Sunday from 2 to 4pm and 7 to 9pm at the Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Rd. Mendham. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 10:00am at St. Joseph Church Mendham. Interment St. Joseph Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Mendham First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 131, 24 East Main Street, Mendham, NJ 07945.