MARIE E. PERRONE

HAMMONTON, N.J. – Marie Evelyn Perrone died March 25, 2009, at the hospital of the University of Pennsylvania from complications after cardiac surgery. Marie was born Nov. 29, 1922, in Hammonton, N.J., daughter of Joseph and Mary (Cessato) Berenato. She is survived by a loving family: daughters, Katie Apgar and husband, Robert, of Berwyn, Pa., Sharon Theeman and husband, Miles, of Bangor, and JoAnn Wolf and husband, John, of Garden City, N.Y.; and grandchildren, Dr. Sarah Apgar of New Haven, Conn., David Apgar of San Francisco, Calif., Meredith Theeman of Brooklyn, N.Y., Alyson Theeman of Cambridge, Mass., John and Joseph Wolf of Garden City, N.Y. She is also survived by her brother, Anthony J. Berenato and his wife, Carol, of Troy, Mo.; sisters-in-law, Lucy Caruso, Jennie (Chip) Mattiacci; brother-in-law, Frank Perrone; many nieces and nephews including, Austin Perrone, Anthony Chariadonna and her traveling companion and good-time buddy, Mary Jo Perrone. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph, in 1996. Marie and Joe met at Sweet Shoppe, Hammonton, N.J., in the early 1940s. The attraction was immediate and they married Dec. 23, 1944. Marie assumed responsibility for raising and nurturing her loving family while Joe established and grew Perrone Door Co. They were an outstanding couple and their marriage flourished for more than 50 years. Marie actively participated in many local organizations. She was a past president of Hammonton Band Boosters; and a member of William B. Kessler Hospital Auxiliary, American Society of Notaries, Hammonton Arts Center, Jersey Skiters, Hammonton Garden Club, Hammonton Historical Society and Sunshine Foundation-Hammonton Chapter. She particularly enjoyed serving as “Queen Mum” of the Jersey Tomatoes Red Hat Society and visiting with other Red Hat chapters. Marie was happiest was when she was with her family, particularly her grandchildren whom she adored and who adored her. Whether together on vacation at the Jersey shore, on skiing trips, or having everyone at her home or the homes of her daughters, she loved being included in family activities and she never missed an important life event. Always an excellent listener, Marie supported many friends and family through difficult times. There will be a public viewing 6-8 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at Carnesale Funeral Home, 202 South Third St., Hammonton, N.J. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 30, at Saint Martin de Porres Catholic Church, Park Avenue and Egg Harbor Road, Hammonton, N.J. Interment will be immediately after services at Greenmount Cemetery, Hammonton, N.J. The family requests that in lieu of flowers and food gifts, contributions in her memory may be made to Marie E. Perrone Hammonton High School Scholarship Fund, care of Susquehanna Bank, 337 Bellevue Ave., Hammonton, NJ 08037-1928.