Marie Nuzzio (née Valenti) of Ringoes, NJ passed away peacefully on October 30, 2021 at the age of 100.

Marie was born on October 22, 1921 on her family’s farm in New Providence, NJ. She loved to be outdoors and spent her childhood climbing trees, exploring nature, and ice skating. Marie graduated from Summit High School in 1938 where she wrote for the high school newspaper, played on the basketball team, and enjoyed her stenography courses. During World War II, Marie worked at a factory polishing piston rings in Stirling, NJ, where she would meet her future husband, Ben. She was also a supervisor at the Office of Dependency Benefits in Newark, NJ and found her work preparing checks for servicemen and their families to be very fulfilling. After raising her two children, Bernadette and Donald, Marie returned to administrative work as a summer school secretary for the Milburn Public School system and later as secretary for her son’s business. Marie continued to work with her son into her 90s, and many people have fond memories of her answering the phone and preparing their shipments.

Marie’s love of the outdoors extended into adulthood where she enjoyed spending time in her home garden. She loved crocheting, playing and watching golf, and completing word search puzzles, which she credited with keeping her mentally sharp. Marie was a wonderful hostess and always had your favorite snack or meal on hand. She was renowned for her delicious meatballs, lasagna, and eggplant parmigiana, one of which she always seemed to have cooking. For herself, she would always request something sweet at the end of a meal.

The love of her family and her faith brought joy to Marie’s life. She was the first one her family would call with good news of an award, engagement, or promotion. Marie was always willing to listen and provide advice on any topic with no questions asked. She reiterated the importance of continuing to push forward during difficult times, being at peace with the past, and always remembering to have dessert. Her fierce independence and strength were evident to everyone that knew her.

For her 100^th birthday, Marie received over 118 cards from friends and family across the US. Reading these messages gave her great joy during the final days of her life.

Marie is survived by her son Donald (Linda) Nuzzio, granddaughter Kristin (Sean) Nuzzio Vig, and grandson Donald (Samantha) Nuzzio Jr. She was preceded in death by her husband Benjamin Nuzzio, her beloved daughter Bernadette Nuzzio, her parents Domenic and Maria Valenti, brother Dominick Valenti, stepsisters Ray Thorn and Minnie Chieco, and stepbrothers Peter Freda, Alexander Freda, and Gerard Freda.

Cremation at the Chapel of Ewing Crematory was private under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church, 2 White Bridge Road, Pittstown, NJ 08867, under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home. Everyone is kindly asked to meet directly at the church on Tuesday morning beginning at 9:45 a.m.

Inurnment of Marie’s cremains, along with those of her beloved husband, Benjamin, and daughter, Bernadette, will follow the mass at St. Magdalen Mausoleum, North Main Street, Flemington, NJ, and to which all are welcome.

You are encouraged to visit Marie’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Carmelite Nuns of Flemington, New Jersey by clicking online HERE or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”