Mary Patricia Falzarano

Mary Patricia Falzarano
October 12, 1958 - July 22, 2025
Mary Patricia Falzarano passed away on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 7:59 PM at Hackensack Hospital in New Jersey. She was 66 years old.
Born Mary Patricia Garner in Jersey City to Geraldine and Michael James Garner, Mary moved with her family to Rutherford in 1969. She was one of ten siblings and carried forward the matriarchal spirit of her beloved mother Geraldine, who lived to 96 and served as an incredible example of strength and caregiving. Known lovingly by many nicknames including Mary Pat, Sheba, Mama Falz, and simply "Mom" to countless people beyond her own children, Mary touched lives wherever she went.
Mary fought courageously for her health and life until the very end, demonstrating the same fierce determination that defined her throughout her life as a two-time cancer survivor. Her strength never wavered, even in her final days.
On August 14, 1982, Mary married the love of her life, Gary Falzarano, though their beautiful partnership spanned over 50 years. Together, they created a life filled with love, laughter, and legendary hospitality. Their famous Christmas celebrations became the highlight of every year, welcoming over 70 family members and friends with homemade food, caroling, games, and endless love. Mary's philosophy was always "the more the merrier," and she made every newcomer feel like family, spending meaningful time with each person despite her hosting duties.
Mary's greatest pride was always her family. She was everything to her two daughters, Maureen and Jackie, who looked up to her as their guiding light, best friend, and the heart of their world. Their bond was unbreakable - she was their first call for everything, their biggest cheerleader, and their safe harbor through every storm. They will carry forward her generous spirit and intuitive nature forever.
As an aunt, godmother, and friend to an extended family of nieces, nephews, and countless others, Mary served as mentor, listener, and spiritual guide to anyone who needed her wisdom. Her devotion extended to every relationship through her legendary calendar-keeping-she wrote everything down and lived by those meticulously kept date markers, using them as tools for proactive acts of love. She reached out for birthdays, anniversaries, and smaller occasions most wouldn't think to remember, sending cards and little gifts to ensure no one in her extended circle ever felt forgotten.
A true barrier breaker who never let traditional rules dictate her path, Mary successfully owned and operated her recruiting firm for over 30 years, beginning in October 1985. She expanded the business to include her mother and sisters on staff, always finding ways to lift others up alongside her own success. Her financial achievements were just another avenue for her generosity-she was famous for surprising family members with magical Christmas adventures, whisking daughters and nieces away in stretch limousines for nights in New York City, complete with the Christmas Spectacular, Rockefeller Center, and toy shopping at FAO Schwarz.
Mary and Gary shared a love for travel, with Aruba being their favorite destination. They cherished beach days, good cocktails in the sunshine, fancy dinners, casino nights, and sharing bottles of Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio. Mary was notably lucky-frequently winning her vigilant weekly lottery picks and hitting big on the lucky 7s machines. Those who knew her believed her luck was simply karma returning all the love she put into the world.
Blessed with an almost supernatural intuition, Mary had an incredible ability to read energy and connect with people. Strangers constantly found themselves sharing their life stories with her, whether during travels or simple errands. She listened intently and offered thoughtful advice, generous with her childlike spirit and never afraid to be silly or let out her signature big laugh.
Music was central to Mary's life. She turned daily dishwashing into personal concerts, belting out Carole King songs and releasing the day's stress. She loved singing competition shows, Broadway performances, and sharing musical bonds with each family member in her own special way.
Mary's love and generosity extended to all creatures-every animal became a puddle in her lap immediately upon meeting her. Even during her hospital stay, when therapy dog Primo came to visit, both Mary and the dog were in absolute heaven with the petting and kissing. The Falzarano household welcomed fish, lizards, birds, cats, and dogs over the years. She even permitted the family to hold a wedding ceremony for their two lizards during a summer barbecue, with Gary officiating. She leaves behind her favorite cuddle buddy, Tom, a 30-pound Maine Coon cat who doesn't know what to do without her.
Mary was vigilant about her daily routines, swearing by old-school beauty methods like Noxzema and Oil of Olay, maintaining beautiful skin that proved her methods worked. Her most memorable signature was her Revlon "Cherries in the Snow" lipstick-even during her hospital stay, she reminded staff that sometimes all you need is a little lipstick to make your day better. Her belief made it true.
Mary was preceded in death by her father, Michael James Garner, her mother, Geraldine Garner, and two siblings. She is survived by her devoted husband Gary, her daughters Maureen and Jackie, seven siblings, and an extensive extended family of in-laws, nieces, nephews, godchildren, friends, and countless others whose lives she touched with her boundless love and generosity.
Visitation will be held Friday, July 25 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Calhoun-Mania Funeral Home, 19 Lincoln Ave., Rutherford. Mass of Christian Liturgy will be held Saturday at 10:00 AM at Assumption Roman Catholic Church, Wood-Ridge. Private Cremation.
Mary lived with full intentionality and authenticity, creating special memories in everything she did. She was amazing to her core, and while the world grieves this tremendous loss, her legacy of love, strength, and joy will never be forgotten.
In lieu of flowers, Plant a Tree through our website or St. Jude's Hospital, 501 St Jude Pl, Memphis, TN 38105.