Marie Iamunno

At the height of the Great Depression, on February 14,

1931----a clear, crisp day in New York with temperatures

in the 40s-the world was captivated by the release of the

iconic film Dracula, starring Bela Lugosi. It was also

Valentine's Day, a day of love and new beginnings, when

John and Lucy Papa welcomed their first child into the

world: Maria Papa, who became known to everyone as

Marie

From that moment, Marie began her life as the firstborn,

soon growing into a devoted and loving sister to Sonny,

Luisa, Phyllis, and Joanne. Her capacity for care and

connection was evident even then.

While working in New York, Marie met Anthony

Iamunno-Tony to her---and their love blossomed. They

dated and married in 1955, and Marie embraced her new

role as wife.

In 1957, she and Tony started their own family with the

birth of their son Richard, followed by Susan and Marie

their daughters. As a mother, Marie poured out love,

patience, guidance, and unwavering support-everything

a child could ever hope for. She excelled in this role for

the rest of her life.

As the years passed, her family expanded once more. She

became a cherished mother-in-law to Maureen,

Gerard, Larry, and Shirley. She welcomed them with open

arms, and they returned that love in full.

Next came the chapter of grandmother. Her heart grew to

embrace Richard, Maria, Paige, Joseph, Allison, Rae

Emily, Michael, Alexander, and Nicholas. As "Grandma,"

she surpassed even her extraordinary motherhood-she

made every grandchild feel uniquely loved, truly special,

and irreplaceably important. I can say with certainty that

they each felt that same profound, personal bond with her.

Her Grandchidren expanded as they married and she

welcomed Dina, Subhu, Chase and Dori into her family

Through the passage of time and the physical challenges

that age inevitably brings, Marie and Tony remained

inseparable. Even when health issues required changes in

living arrangements, their bond deepened. Their love

endured and grew richer with every year, culminating in a

joyful celebration of their 70th wedding anniversary in

August of 2025.

Last year, Marie entered yet another cherished role: great-

grandmother to Emma-Grace a new light in her legacy of love.

Throughout her long and beautiful life, Marie was a

daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a

great-grandmother. But she was so much more she was

a loved and trusted sister-in-law, Aunt Marie to many and

my friend Marie to countless others whose lives she

touched with kindness and warmth.

On Monday, January 26th -a cold winter day dominated

by headlines of a major snowstorm that brought havoc,

canceled flights, travel delays and widespread disruption

-Marie left us after 34,680 days of a life richly lived.

We knew her health was fading, and many of us hoped

she might hold on just a little longer, to reach Valentine's

Day and celebrate her 95th birthday. God had different

plans. Yet for all of us whose lives she shaped, February 14th will forever be her birthday first with Valentine's

Day a distant second. That will never change.

Paraphrasing Luke 16:22, the angels came and carried her

to Abraham's side-to be with the Son and the Father in a

place of eternal peace and light.

Marie Iamunno, we celebrate a life extraordinarily well

lived. We love you, Mom-now and always.

She is survived by her husband, Tony.

Sisters: Luisa, Joann (Phil).

Son: Richard (Shirley)

Daughters: Susan (Gerard) and Marie (Larry)

Grandchildren: Richard (Dina), Maria (Chase), Paige, Joseph, Allison, Rae, Emily (Subhu), Michael, Alexander (Dori) and Nicholas and Great Granddaughter Emma Grace.

She was pre-deceased by her Parents John and Lucy.

Her sister Phyliss and brother Sonny