Obituary for Marjorie J. Potenza
Marjorie (Michelina DeCataldo) Potenza, 99, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2022. Her parents immigrated from Cagnano Varano, Italy and settled in Rosebank, Staten Island, New York where she was born September 28, 1922. A proud Rosebanker, she belonged to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and was active in the Sodality, choir and Christian Mothers. She was a devout Catholic all of her life.
As a 5th grader at PS 13 she won the Theodore Roosevelt Prize Speaking Award, receiving a medal and invitation to meet Mrs. Roosevelt in New York City. She delighted in sharing that she once wore Baby Rosemarie’s tap shoes and was kissed on the cheek by Van Johnson.
Marjorie was an honor student and graduate of Curtis High School. As a member of the Italian Club, she made lifelong friends, who after graduating formed the “ESSI Club.” They shared weddings, baptisms, anniversaries and outings with spouses and children. They were always just a phone call away.
She served her Staten Island community as PTA president, Federation officer and Camp Fire Girls Leader. She was employed by Chase Manhattan Bank in New York City and later Staten Island Hospital. She was an avid reader who loved to travel, write, bake, cook and enjoyed 8 years of singing with the Sweet Adeline’s.
She was married for 65 years to the love of her life, Fred. Among her favorite sayings was, “The best gift a father can give to his family is to love their mother,” and he absolutely adored her. They moved to Northfield, New Jersey in 1987. Proud of their Italian heritage, they joined the Sons of Italy Antonio Meucci Lodge making more lifelong friends. As an active member of St. Bernadette’s (St. Gianna Beretta Molla) Church, she joined the Sodality and the Senior group, serving her community.
Marjorie was a devoted, kind, supportive and loving wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and aunt. Family was everything to her. If we sneezed, a chicken went in the pot and homemade soup was delivered. Her nut tarts, biscotti, Italian Christmas cookies, sour cream cake and sausage and peppers have been favorites among family and friends. She taught us the value of communication by calling and sending cards for all occasions. She stressed the importance of written thank you notes for even the smallest gesture.
The last five years of her life were spent in the loving care of the Hospitaler Sisters of Mercy and staff at Villa Raffaella Assisted Living in Pleasantville, New Jersey. Here, she could attend mass and pray the rosary daily in the beautiful chapel. Not one to miss an opportunity to perform, she played one of the Three Wise Men in the annual Christmas pageant and was crowned Miss Villa 2018. Love and blessings abounded at the Villa and our family will be forever grateful for the quality of life which the Sisters and staff provided. Special thanks go out to the Angelic Hospice staff who also provided compassionate care in her final months.
Marjorie was predeceased by her parents, Frank (Francisco) and Carmella (Donataccio) DeCataldo; husband, Fred (Fortunato) Potenza; sisters, Marie (James) Dente, Jessie (Rocco) Rumolo and daughter-in-law, Joan Potenza.
Marjorie is survived by her sons, Jack (Nancy) Potenza of Boynton Beach, Florida, Frank (Judy) Potenza of Pompton Lakes, New Jersey and daughter, Marjorie (Richard) Fopeano of Northfield, New Jersey; sister-in-law, Rosalie (Robert) Facciola; grandchildren, Thomas Potenza of Hollywood, Florida, Claudine (James) Cowan of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Nicole (Davin) Reeves of Albuquerque, NM and Crista (Brad) Bernardino of Ocean City, New Jersey; great grandchildren, Troy Bernadino, Lola Bernardino and Raven Reeves as well as six nieces and nephews.
Our mom always said, “Life is beautiful!” Her smile, warmth and generous heart will be with us forever.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Gianna Beretta Molla Church at Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at 11am. A visitation will be held from 10-11am, prior to the service at the church.
Interment will be held at Atlantic County Veteran’s Cemetery.
Mask are to be worn and social distancing protocol is required.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make donations in Marjorie’s memory may do so to: Villa Raffaella Assisted Living, 917 South Main Street, Pleasantville, New Jersey 08232 OR to St. Gianna Beretta Molla Church, 1417 New Road, Northfield, New Jersey 08225.
As a 5th grader at PS 13 she won the Theodore Roosevelt Prize Speaking Award, receiving a medal and invitation to meet Mrs. Roosevelt in New York City. She delighted in sharing that she once wore Baby Rosemarie’s tap shoes and was kissed on the cheek by Van Johnson.
Marjorie was an honor student and graduate of Curtis High School. As a member of the Italian Club, she made lifelong friends, who after graduating formed the “ESSI Club.” They shared weddings, baptisms, anniversaries and outings with spouses and children. They were always just a phone call away.
She served her Staten Island community as PTA president, Federation officer and Camp Fire Girls Leader. She was employed by Chase Manhattan Bank in New York City and later Staten Island Hospital. She was an avid reader who loved to travel, write, bake, cook and enjoyed 8 years of singing with the Sweet Adeline’s.
She was married for 65 years to the love of her life, Fred. Among her favorite sayings was, “The best gift a father can give to his family is to love their mother,” and he absolutely adored her. They moved to Northfield, New Jersey in 1987. Proud of their Italian heritage, they joined the Sons of Italy Antonio Meucci Lodge making more lifelong friends. As an active member of St. Bernadette’s (St. Gianna Beretta Molla) Church, she joined the Sodality and the Senior group, serving her community.
Marjorie was a devoted, kind, supportive and loving wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and aunt. Family was everything to her. If we sneezed, a chicken went in the pot and homemade soup was delivered. Her nut tarts, biscotti, Italian Christmas cookies, sour cream cake and sausage and peppers have been favorites among family and friends. She taught us the value of communication by calling and sending cards for all occasions. She stressed the importance of written thank you notes for even the smallest gesture.
The last five years of her life were spent in the loving care of the Hospitaler Sisters of Mercy and staff at Villa Raffaella Assisted Living in Pleasantville, New Jersey. Here, she could attend mass and pray the rosary daily in the beautiful chapel. Not one to miss an opportunity to perform, she played one of the Three Wise Men in the annual Christmas pageant and was crowned Miss Villa 2018. Love and blessings abounded at the Villa and our family will be forever grateful for the quality of life which the Sisters and staff provided. Special thanks go out to the Angelic Hospice staff who also provided compassionate care in her final months.
Marjorie was predeceased by her parents, Frank (Francisco) and Carmella (Donataccio) DeCataldo; husband, Fred (Fortunato) Potenza; sisters, Marie (James) Dente, Jessie (Rocco) Rumolo and daughter-in-law, Joan Potenza.
Marjorie is survived by her sons, Jack (Nancy) Potenza of Boynton Beach, Florida, Frank (Judy) Potenza of Pompton Lakes, New Jersey and daughter, Marjorie (Richard) Fopeano of Northfield, New Jersey; sister-in-law, Rosalie (Robert) Facciola; grandchildren, Thomas Potenza of Hollywood, Florida, Claudine (James) Cowan of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Nicole (Davin) Reeves of Albuquerque, NM and Crista (Brad) Bernardino of Ocean City, New Jersey; great grandchildren, Troy Bernadino, Lola Bernardino and Raven Reeves as well as six nieces and nephews.
Our mom always said, “Life is beautiful!” Her smile, warmth and generous heart will be with us forever.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Gianna Beretta Molla Church at Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at 11am. A visitation will be held from 10-11am, prior to the service at the church.
Interment will be held at Atlantic County Veteran’s Cemetery.
Mask are to be worn and social distancing protocol is required.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make donations in Marjorie’s memory may do so to: Villa Raffaella Assisted Living, 917 South Main Street, Pleasantville, New Jersey 08232 OR to St. Gianna Beretta Molla Church, 1417 New Road, Northfield, New Jersey 08225.