Marie Carmen Zigarelli

Marie Carmen (Fusilli) Zigarelli, 102, passed away peacefully on September 18 after a full life of faith, love and service to others. Marie was an example of grace and resilience and her devotion to the Virgin Mary lead her though many challenges. She remained a positive and remarkable presence until her last day and leaves us with a great legacy to follow: "Die young, as old as possible."
Marie was an active community member and lived independently in her beloved Hawthorne home for more than 70 years. She is survived by children Michael (Linda) Zigarelli of Warren, NJ and Lisa (Edward) Eccles of Liberty Township, OH. She was the cherished Grammy to Lauren Zigarelli, of Hoboken, NJ, Jessica Zigarelli of Somerville, NJ, Jennifer (Joseph) Cleveland of Winchester, VA and Christopher Eccles of Monroe, OH. She was blessed to live long enough to know her precious great grandson, Joseph Henry Cleveland.
She called her granddaughters her Bellas, and had a special relationship with her grandson Chris, who is fully disabled because of a rare genetic disorder. It was important to her to stay close to all her family, so she spent much time in Ohio, where she established many dear friends.
She was predeceased by husband Fred Zigarelli, sisters Louise Picariello and Josephine Fava, and brother Nicholas Fusilli. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, neighbors, friends and associates who will greatly miss her.
Marie was fiercely self reliant and believed in helping others. A devoted mother and wife, she held leadership positions in various charities, including St. Joseph's Hospital, Paterson, as President of the League Auxiliary and volunteer for 45 years. Steadfast in her faith, she served St. Anthony's RC Parish for decades as President of the Rosary Society and Chair of the Mother's Group, where she was instrumental in starting the school's first library. She was a fixture at the annual feast raffle table, and many parishioners have the beautiful christening bibs made by her expert hands. She also was an officer in her Eastside High School Class of 1939, and organized yearly reunions until late into her 90s and was a member of the Riverside Veterans and other civic-minded groups.
Marie was ageless and meticulous and as an accomplished seamstress made her own fashionable wardrobe since the sixth grade. She loved to sew for her family and home, creating everything from drapes to wedding gowns. She was a vibrant and relevant lady who remained hopeful and always "counted her blessings" even in declining health.
Friends and family may celebrate her life on Tuesday, October 10, 4-7 p.m. at Browning- Forshay Funeral Home, 557 Lafayette Avenue, Hawthorne. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on October 11, 10 a.m. at St. Anthony's RC Church, 276 Diamond Bridge Avenue, Hawthorne. Interment will be at Christ the King Cemetery, Franklin Lakes.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to her grandson through his state authorized account. Checks must be written payable to Stable account ST0001259035 and mailed to:
Stable Account
P.O. Box 534425
Pittsburgh PA, 15253-4425.