Marianna G. Mellace

Marianna (Josephine) G. Mellace, 107, of Randolph, NJ passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2025 at St. Clare's Hospital, Dover. She resided at Sunrise of Randolph Assisted Living in Randolph, NJ.

Marianna was born on March 14, 1918, in Satriano (region Calabria), Italy. She left her small mountaintop village at the age of 18, crossed the Atlantic on the ocean liner REX and settled in Brooklyn, NY with some of her immediate family members. She became a U.S. citizen in 1944.

As a child she learned the art of sewing and embroidery from nuns at the village convent. Those skills helped her acquire a job as a seamstress in the garment district of Manhattan during the 1940's. In 1948, she married Joseph Mellace, also from Satriano, and started a family a year later. She moved from Brooklyn to New Jersey in 1951 and eventually they purchased a home in Belleville, NJ where they raised a family and lived for 60 years.

Marianna loved to cook and also canned vegetables and fruits each year. She enjoyed countless hours chatting on the phone or in person with family members and friends. Bingo was her favorite pastime game at Sunrise.

Marianna was predeceased by her husband Joseph whom she was married to for 66 years, and leaves behind three sons Dominick and his wife JoAnne, Robert and his wife Michelle, and Joseph A., and his wife Anna Marie. She is also survived by five grandchildren -- Steven, Matthew, Lisa, Jessica, and Michael; also her sister-in-law Rose Ranieri and many nieces and nephews.

A Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 13, 2025 from 3:00-7:00PM at Tuttle Funeral Home, Randolph. A Funeral Mass will take place on Monday, July 14, 2025 to begin at 10:00AM at St. Matthew the Apostle Parish, Randolph. Entombment to follow at Hollywood Memorial Park, Union.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marianna's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, Greater NJ Chapter, 400 Morris Ave, Suite 251, Denville, NJ 07834.