Mary J. Gennarelli, our beloved Mother, left us to once again stand by our Dad's side.

Mary (always known as Maureen) was born on October 6, 1930 in New York City to Eugene and Bridget Jane Donohue. As the oldest of eight children, Maureen learned her true calling at a young age — she spent her life taking care of the ones she loved.

As a nurturing big sister, a loyal and compassionate friend, an adoring wife, and a loving mother/grandmother/great-grandmother, Maureen always had a kind word and open arms for everyone. Walking into her home was like "walking into a hug" — her presence had a glow and warmth that was unique.

Maureen married Dante E. Gennarelli in October of 1952 at St. Joseph's Church in Harlem, New York  City. They began their married life in Blauvelt, New York and in 1954 welcomed their first  child, Thomas, to be  followed by Jane, Michael, and Carol -  four children in less than four years.  Warner Brothers got it wrong when they chose Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman!

In 1959, Don and Maureen, with four kids in tow, moved to Dix Hills, New York, into a house at 7 Oriole Way where Maureen spent her time making that house a home that the family loved and that seemed to have a perpetual "Welcome" sign hanging on the front door. Once the family was raised, Maureen and Don, now Empty Nesters, moved to Hasbrouck Heights New Jersey, where they spent 38 years as active members of Corpus Christi Church and the community.

In 2011, the National Council of Catholic Women honored Maureen as "Woman of the Year"  to acknowledge her significant contributions to the parish and community.  Her service included 25 years as a Eucharistic Minister to the homebound and active membership in the Rosary Society, where she served as Secretary and Vice President and was a model of unassuming and unselfish service.  Dear to her heart was Corpus Christi's Mother of Mercy Adoration Chapel where she was a regular adorer.

For many years, Maureen was a volunteer for the Hospice Program at Hackensack University Medical Center, visiting patients both in the hospital and at home.  She was also a volunteer driver for the Hasbrouck Heights Reach Program, providing transportation for local  residents to medical appointments.  In addition, she was a volunteer with Meals With A Mission in Garfield as a member of the "meatloaf" cooking team, meeting monthly to prepare 400 dinners for area soup kitchens/shelters.  While raising her children, Maureen was a Boy Scout Den Mother, a Girl Scout Leader, and a Confraternity of Christian Doctrine teacher.

Maureen's pride and joy were her children, and in later years her grandchildren (11 of them), and later yet, her great grandchildren (11 again!).

Maureen was predeceased by her parents Eugene and Bridget Jane, her husband Dante, her siblings Eugene, Edward, Patricia, and Laurence, and her daughter-in-law Michelle. She is survived by her siblings James, Phyllis and Loretta, her sisters-in-law Phyllis and Mary Ann, her children, Thomas, Jane, Michael and Carol, her daughter-in-law Teresa, her son-in-law Anthony, her grandchildren Lisa (and spouse Nick), Matthew (and spouse Tami), Cristin (and spouse Kevin), Steven, Daniel, Lauren, Brandon, Evan, Colleen (and spouse Eric), Caitlyn (and spouse Jonathan), and Brianna, and her great-grandchildren Ryan, Melana, Nate, Bella, Molly Jane, Lucy, Clare, Vincent, Joseph, Nicholas, and Matthew.

It is with great love and with great sadness that we all say goodbye.

Funeral from Costa Memorial Home Boulevard and Central Avenue Hasbrouck Heights on Saturday, December 30th at 9 AM. Funeral Liturgy from Corpus Christi R.C. Church 260 Boulevard Hasbrouck Heights at 10 AM. Entombment following at Garden of Memories, Township of Washington. Visitation Friday, December 29th from 2-4 and 6-8 PM.

Memorial contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN. 38105 www.stjude.org would be appreciated.