Noreen G. Gunnell

Noreen Gunnell, 57, of Elmwood Park and formerly of Hasbrouck Heights, passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.
Noreen grew up the youngest of ten children in Jersey City born to the late Albert and Grace (nee Reddington) Gunnell. After graduating from St. Dominic Academy, she earned a bachelor's degree in both Finance and History from New York University. She worked in Finance at New York Life for a year before suffering a spinal cord injury in July 1990. Over the next few years, Noreen overcame what most would view as impossible. She reinvented her life from a wheelchair. She pushed herself to the limits to regain her independence, even learning how to ride a bike without the use of her legs. She taught herself how to write using both hands. In 1992, she returned to school and received her master's degree in English and Education from Montclair State University. Over the next 32 years, she tutored students from elementary school to graduate school in writing, upper-level mathematics, SAT prep and more.
Noreen was an inspiration to all on how to live life with a positive attitude. She held strong opinions, and she could certainly defend them. She will be remembered for how she lived her life enjoying and loving her family, taking the time to build a personalized relationship with each of her 17 nieces and nephews.
Noreen is survived by her cherished siblings Janet Gunnell, Grace Gunnell, Albert and Nadine Gunnell, Laura McDonald (the late Aedan), Timothy and Sharon Gunnell, Edward and Yasmin Gunnell, Teresa and Lorenzo Nese, Patricia and William Stefanczyk, Marie and Thomas DeQuinzio. Her memory will be forever cherished by her nieces and nephews: Tom McShane, Timothy & Briana Gunnell, Germaine Gunnell, Dagmar Gunnell, Aedan McDonald, Sean Gunnell, Abigail & Geoffrey Brown, Erica Nese & AJ, Daniel & Jennifer Nese, Jeffrey & Amy Esposito, Matthew & Amy Esposito, Gregory & Angela Esposito, Brandon Esposito, Brianna & Christopher Mormile, Thomas & Emily DeQuinzio, Joseph DeQuinzio, and Grace DeQuinzio. Cherished Great aunt to 16 great nieces and Nephews.
Arrangements have been made with Costa Memorial Home in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. The viewing will be from 4pm-8pm on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at the funeral home. Funeral liturgy from Corpus Christi R.C. Church in Hasbrouck Heights at 10am on Friday, July 26, 2024. Interment following at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, New Jersey.
Donations in her loving memory can be sent to: The Christopher Reeve foundation at https://www.christopherreeve.org/get-involved/donate/
OR
Keck Center/Spinal Cord Injury Project at: https://give.rutgersfoundation.org/spinal-cord-injury-project/6554.html