Marie Elena Macari

The beautiful, selfless & kind Marie Elena Macari passed away at age 78 on May 24, 2022, surrounded by her devoted & adoring family.  Marie Elena was preceded in death by her father, Michael R. Cassandra and her mother, Helen Cassandra, and her cherished love of her life, Joseph Percontino.   She was a treasured mother to her loving children, Christine (Macari) Crockett, & her husband Thomas Crockett, and John Marc Macari, and his wife Janine Macari.   She was a cherished grandmother to Thomas, Michael, John Joseph & Jenna; and a dear beloved sister to Vincent Cassandra & his wife Elizabeth Cassandra; and her adoring nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends. 

Marie Elena was born in Queens, NY and was always proud to be a New Yorker at her core.   She came to live in New Jersey in 1966 and remained a New Jerseyian for the rest of her years, staying in her beloved Bergen County – where she was never too far from NY. 

 Her dream was to be a Hollywood movie star so she was a true “fashion plate” who people always admired and noticed her wherever she went.  She was the life of the party and stood out from the crowd with her brilliant smile and colorful presence.  She lit up the room wherever she went with her glowing personality, being a natural with the “the gift of gab”.  Since acting was not in the cards per her conservative parents, Marie found her career in local government and proudly became the Borough Municipal Clerk in Saddle River, NJ, where she worked for 28 years and truly loved her job and her co-workers. She was the smiling face at the Borough that people could always count on to assist them in the community.  She looked forward to being asked to read to the class at the elementary school in Saddle River each year, always willing to help in any way she could.  She was loved by all.

She retired from her job several years ago and was thrilled to spend more time traveling with her beloved Joe, and spending time with her family – esp. her 4 treasured grandchildren, as she referred to them.  Nothing mattered to Marie more than her family, “La Famiglia” as she would say as she was taught in her proud Italian upbringing.  She was raised to believe that family was the most important thing to her and whenever she was with her family, her life was complete.  One of the highlights of her life was being able to take her 4 grandchildren to Disney World spoiling them as much as she possibly could. 

Marie’s guilty pleasure was that she loved to shop – not just for herself but for her children & grandchildren – who’s wardrobes will never be the same without her.  She always had a gift ready for any occasion she had to attend.  She truly enjoyed buying for others and seeing the look on their face when they opened their gifts.  Her shopping really was another sign of her true love for the people in her life.

Marie was an excellent cook who could whip up a meal any time whether it was coming in from work, the pool or wherever - - and of course cooking for the family was her most favorite.  The best showcase of her cooking was her Christmas Eve birthday party every year, coupled with her love for her Italian tradition of the “7 fishes” and then some. Her devoted brother Vinnie & sister in law, Betty, always by her side laughing & cooking the wonderful traditional dishes/recipes passed on for generations.   Marie’s Christmas Eve birthday was an “event” that the family looked forward to every year.  It is a day that will forever be reserved in her family’s life for celebrating her – although it will never be quite the same.  In fact, Life will not be ever quite the same without her, as she was the glue that held her family together.  Her family & friends will take her love with them wherever they go because she is in their hearts & souls forever & ever.  An angel on earth and now in Heaven…

Donations can also be made in Marie Elena Macari’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Rally Cap Sports

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