Adeline 'Phyllis' Marino
Lived her life advocating love and forgiveness
Adeline "Phyllis" Marino (nee Pecora), 93, died peacefully on July 9, 2019, after battling dementia.
Born at home in North Arlington, N.J., on July 23, 1925, the second of seven children to the late Salvatore and Johanna Pecora (Rotondelli), she was raised through the Great Depression, leading Phyllis to enter the workforce at a young age.
She worked on an assembly line for a radio factory during World War II and would often recant stories of her time spent working for the war effort. She was a born caregiver, helping raise her younger siblings; motherhood was second nature to her.
Phyllis went on to marry the late Gelardo "Jerry" Marino after the war and settled in Belleville, N.J., some years later. Together they had six children, and after the death of Phyllis's brother-in-law, took on three more. She was an incredible cook, feeding the children in her home and anyone who stopped by.
Phyllis raised her family through four generations in her home in Belleville where she resided for 53 years. She worked as a lunch aid at School No. 10 in Belleville; watching the kids at recess brought joy to her life. She was the past president of the Woman's Auxiliary of the N.J. State League of Master Plumbers. Phyllis worked the voting booths during many presidential elections over 30 years.
One of her greatest achievements in life was being a Nana to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She watched her grandchildren throughout their lives and watched them have children of their own.
Phyllis and her children coordinated and held holidays at her home, cooking six courses for over 20 people. Nothing brought her more joy than to have everyone together eating, even if it was in shifts. This tradition brought a family together throughout the years and well into their adult lives. She opened her heart and home to anyone who came by, and of course had something for them to eat.
She was a storyteller, animated and engaging, and one could sit and listen to stories of the "old days" for hours. Phyllis was artistically talented and enjoyed drawing, crocheting, and was famous for making towel cakes for bridal and baby showers.
She had a love of music and could sing and dance up until her 90s; even through the dementia, her love of music would shine through.
Phyllis enjoyed bowling and was a great bowler until her age caught up with her. Having a beautiful 90th birthday party with her family, she spent her birthday traveling to the Statue of Liberty and bowling in mid-town Manhattan.
She lived her life advocating love and forgiveness, even in the darkest of times, always knowing the answer is to love and forgive those who wronged you.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Gelardo Marino, and her youngest daughter, Jeanne "Sue" Marino, as well as her siblings and relatives who went before her.
Surviving are her loving children, Jerry Marino and wife, Eileen; Salvatore Marino and wife, Stephanie; Barbara Ann Sweetman, Margaret R. Marino, and Joseph Marino and wife, Jackie Lugo.
She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Michelle Prosperi and husband, Billy; Kim Sweetman; Angela Cabanilla and husband, Gino; Kenneth Sweetman and wife, Deanna; Lindsay Henry and husband, Daniel; Robert Frucci, and Lauren Bowser; her adored great-grandchildren, Joey, Julia, Ariana, Ava, Sophia, Jake, Corinne, Khloe, and Claire, as well as her siblings, Dolores Bowker and husband, Raymond; Geraldine Horner and husband, Al, as well as her nieces, nephews and extended family.
Family and friends are welcome to gather for visitation Sunday, July 14 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Parow Funeral Home, 185 Ridge Rd., North Arlington, N.J., with a prayer service to be held at 2 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, July 15 at Queen of Peace R.C. Church on Ridge Road in North Arlington. Family and friends are welcome to gather at the funeral home beginning at 9 a.m. Cremation will follow at Rosehill Crematory in Linden, N.J. For directions and condolences, please visit ParowFuneralHome.com.