Mary Lou Sodora

Mary Lou Sodora was born in Mamaroneck New York on January 20, 1937 to Don and Mary Modica. An only child and a "latch key kid", Mary Lou
spent her childhood dreaming of a big family filled with love. Her parents moved to Hasbrouck Heights, NJ in the early 40s and she attended
Grammar School and High School there, becoming friends with her later to be husband's younger sister, Laura and a best friend to this day, Marilyn DiPiazza.
Mary Lou instantly fell in love with Laura's big brother Augie when she was 9 years old and he was 14. He didn't notice her until she was 20, and he, 25. She returned to Hasbrouck Heights from Southern Seminary College in Virginia and boy did he notice her!
They began dating in November of 1957 and were married by September 7, 1958. Mary Lou was working at WNEW CHANNEL 5 as Assistant to the Program Manager and making more than Augie so he immediately had her quit that's how it was in 1958!
Soon, they had a small house on Madison Avenue in Hasbrouck Heights and 4 children, Augie, Jodi, Teri and Chris. In 1968 they moved to a sleepy small town up Route 17 called Saddle River. They bought a house on Fox Hedge Road and life was grand. Mary Lou's dream came true. Mary Lou and Augie loved their children and the family attended St. Gabriel's Church each week where they made many long-lasting family friends.
Over the years Mary Lou was very active on committees at her children's schools, at church and at Valley Hospital. She even started an organization called Grateful Grannies and raised money for St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
She was at heart, a prolific gardener, a wonderful chef and needlepoint artist, and a hell of a drill sergeant to her 4 kids.
She was most proud of her 4 children, Augie and his wife Paula and their children Augie, Paul and his wife Amy, and Gina, Jodi and Brad and their daughter Mary Jo, Teri, Chris and Michelle and their children Christian, Ryan and Emilie and one great Grandson, Gina's son Declan.
Her family is joyful to know that on September 7, she will celebrate her 66th wedding anniversary with her husband Augie together in Heaven.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial mass on Wednesday August 21, 2024, 10:00 am at St. Gabriel the Archangel R.C. Church, 88 E. Saddle River Rd., Saddle River, NJ 07458. The reception will be at noon at White Beeches Country Club in Haworth.