Ada M. Sena, age 94 years, of Raritan Township, NJ and Leesburg, VA, died peacefully on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at Alder Hospice House, Aldie, VA, surrounded by her loving family.

Born In  New York City, NY, October 5, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Attilio and Adele Del Boca Marelli. The first years of Ada’s life were spent in Union City, NJ whereupon her family moved back to Premezzo, Varese, Italy where they lived until she was almost a teenager. They returned to the United States, settling in Brooklyn, NY. She then moved to East Brunswick, NJ, followed by Toms River, NJ. She had resided in the Flemington area for the past fiftee years, having just recently moved part-time to Leesburg/Ashburn, VA. It is worth noting that she and her husband had a second home in West Palm Beach, FL for 35 years, which is the source of wonderful memories for family and friends.

A graduate of Girls High School in Brooklyn, Ada went on to become an Executive Assistant to the Executive Vice-President of American Express Global Security.

When reflecting on Ada’s full life, it should be noted she lived her life in a way that was always truthful and faithful to God, her family and her country.

Faith was an extremely important aspect to Ada’s life and she carried God’s love and dispersed it in all that she did. She greatly enjoyed participating in all Church activities and had a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother. For many years she was a faithful communicant of St. Magdalen Church, Flemington, NJ, St. Bartholomew Church, East Brunswick, NJ and Holy Innocents Church, Brooklyn, NY. She tried each day to live Christ’s teachings and simply help her fellow human in whatever way she was able.

Family was also a vital part of Ada’s existence. Her family, coupled with her husband’s family, was quite large. She was the definition of a true matriarch and she believed that proper communication was a key ingredient to keeping a family together and happy. She was known to use her power as an ‘elder’ to ensure that everyone was keeping in contact with one another. She knew that family love, strength and faith was based on an ongoing continuous direct personal communications link within all the family members.

Fierce championing for those who needed help was a great virtue of hers. It should be noted that although small but mighty Ada was a fierce champion of all of God’s children. Her brother, Victor Marelli, was born with Down’s Syndrome in a time when those with special needs were hidden away, and in many cases abandoned, as people believed that your family had done wrong in order to be burdened with someone who was different. Ada defied all those around her and saw that her brother attended and graduated school and was never shut away. She took him everywhere with her, including travel to Italy and even out on dates, as he was a vital part of her life. She showed others that being different was not a curse or a sin, and that Victor was just indeed like everyone else, created in God’s image and worthy of the same love.

Foundation building blocks came from growing up for a time in Italy. That had a profound effect on Ada and it also helped her forge strong family connections to those who remained. She was very proud of her parents’ immigration and their achievements in assimilating to life in the United States, while still maintaining the great traditions and especially the cooking techniques and foods of northern Italy.

Feverous love of the United States was unwavering. Ada was very proud of not only her husband’s wartime service in the South pacific with the United States Navy, but also as her own position as an Air Raid Warden in Brooklyn, NY during World War II. She had her white helmet and flashlight and she was the one in charge of assuring her neighbors all were where they needed to be during a time of fear and the unknown.

Fun was sprinkled in as she had many hobbies and always enjoyed remaining active in life. In addition to church and family functions, Ada enjoyed golf, bingo, cards, casino visits, the knitting club at St. Magdalen Church, the East Amwell Senior Citizen Club and various other senior and family party activities.

If Ada could have the last word, she would most likely tell all reading this to, “Grab ahold of life and live every moment of it!”

That philosophy is also captured by The Beatitudes, which give a wonderful glimpse into how Ada lived her life. It is the hope of her family that all reading this are encouraged by these words which transcend all barriers that society puts up: “Blessed are the poor in spirt, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” ~Matthew 5: 3-10

She was preceded in death by her husband, Neo R. “Hugo” Sena (United States Navy Veteran, WWII) and her brother, Victor Marelli.

Surviving are her son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Irene D’Onofrio Sena of Raritan Township, NJ; her grandchildren, Meredith Sena Lopez and her husband, Bismarck and Cynthia Sena Washington and her husband, Marcus; four great grandchildren, Bismarck A. Lopez, Madeline C. Lopez, Reece M. Washington and Blake M. Washington; many extended family; and many dear friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Timothy Christy and concelebrated by Rev. Kenneth Brighenti and Msgr. Michael Corona will take place on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Magdalen Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

Burial next to her beloved husband will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 840 Cranbury South River Road, Jamesburg, NJ 08831.

Ada will life in repose on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. and Wednesday, May 9, 2018 from 9:00-10:00 a.m. at the funeral home where all are invited to help celebrate the life of this faithful servant of the Lord.

Please visit Ada’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com where one can light a memorial candle and leave a message of condolence and words of comfort, as well as share stories and photographs of her life.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial contribution are asked to do so to the Special Olympics of New Jersey.

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