 Lorraine May de Smet (Prevelige) was born in May, 1928. She grew up in Passaic County, New Jersey surrounded by relatives and loved ones. She was the second child of Peter and Mary (Lovas) Prevelige. She was especially close with her uncles, her cousin Jane, and her aunt Anne Lovas. She enjoyed playing Canasta and other card games with Anne and the family on weekends. Lorraine started school early with her brother Peter and graduated high school with the class of 1944 at the age of 16. She later attended Berkley Secretarial School. Lorraine married her husband, Louis, in 1952 and they enjoyed a honeymoon at Virginia Beach. She was adored by her husband and they had four daughters together, Mary, Jean, Carolyn, and Allise. She was a stay at home mom initially and then went back to continue her career as a secretary (for a lawyer and other corporations). For years, she volunteered her skills as secretary for the Pen and Brush Art Club and the Art Centre of New Jersey at the Riker Hill Art Park. Some of Lorraine's passions included a love of animals, reading mysteries, art, fashion, the Catholic faith, and nature. She often spoke of her childhood pet dog. She always had a small lap dog that she could spoil and sneak treats to. Lorraine had a small collection of various safari animals displayed in her living room and her backyard became a sort of animal sanctuary where she and her husband took care of wild cats and birds. All kinds of animals enjoyed visiting including coyotes, deer, foxes, turkey buzzards, etc. Her first international trip was on the S.S. President Polk cruise to Havana, Cuba with her friend Joan Roxburgh in April 1949. She had a photo album that she cherished which included a Western Union telegram from her cousin Jane wishing her the best, a note from the captain inviting her to a cocktail hour, and a newspaper clipping mentioning her trip. She also traveled to many places in the U.S. such as Florida, California, Yellowstone National Park, Maine, Virginia, Colorado, and Alabama. Other international trips included Germany, Austria, Mexico, Italy, and Switzerland. Family vacations often included the Jersey Shore and Maine. For a few summers in a row, Lorraine rented a house from a friend in Five Islands, Maine. She loved stopping by the nearby lobster shack to get her favorite lobster sandwich and she even made a special painting of the view of the ocean touching the backyard. Some of her adventurous vacations included Colorado and the Bahamas. While visiting her eldest daughter in Denver, CO, they made a 5 person family road trip squished in a station wagon to Aspen, The Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and the National Arches Park. They slept in the station wagon at a camp ground along their way. When they passed by the Four Corners, she made sure to purchase her favorite turquoise/silver jewelry. She also spent a month in the Bahamas where she learned to drive a stick shift while driving her children in a jeep around the island. Lorraine always had an appreciation for beauty and showed that through her love of fashion and art. She started painting in her early 50s and had many accomplishments listed in the art bio below. She enjoyed fashion magazines and always knew what the color of the season was. She enjoyed baking special desserts such as cherry cobbler and homemade birthday cakes for her children. Her seat at the table was always close to the kitchen so she was the first to grab anything for anyone in need at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. In her spare time, she enjoyed searching for special presents to give on holidays to her family and friends. You could tell she put a lot of thought into her gifts and they were personalized just for you. She also was an amazing gift wrapper so much so that people assumed she paid to have them gift wrapped by a professional. Lorraine always enjoyed decorating extensively for the holidays. Her house was always warm and welcoming. She was very close with her family and friends-always showing interest in others in their lives, asking how they were doing with true care. When her daughter got divorced and went to graduate school, Lorraine helped support and raise her granddaughter Kelliann. They developed a close relationship and both enjoyed shopping and reading together. Fond memories include decorating at Christmas, long talks on the phone, and picking their favorites from fashion magazines. When Kelliann joined the Catholic faith, she had Lorraine as her Godmother. She always spoke about her love of her family including her daughters, granddaughters, and great grandchildren. Lorraine is survived by her husband Louis de Smet, her brother Peter Prevelige, daughters Jean (Bob Hackemack), Carolyn, Allise (John Siemienowicz) and three granddaughters- Jackie (nee Elizabeth Jacqueline Dwulet and Elliot) Miller, Kelliann (Blake) Douglas, and Kathryn (Dean Corriveau) Dwulet, and three great grandchildren (Nicholas, Harrison, and Jamison). She is predeceased by her daughter Mary. Lorraine battled health issues throughout her life including TB, Leukemia, and Breast Cancer. Before her passing, she enjoyed cuddling on the couch with her dog Shalee, looking at photos of family, and speaking on the phone with family members near and far who now miss her dearly. She passed peacefully in October 2021 surrounded by family virtually and in-person. A mass will be held for Lorraine and Louis at the St. Thomas More Church, 12 Hollywood Avenue, Fairfield, N.J. on September 23, 2023 at 10 AM. Arrangements are under direct care of Gaita Memorial Home in Little Falls, NJ .In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (www.bcrf.org ) or the charity of your choosing. Art Bio of Lorraine de Smet Art Education: The artist began her studies at the art Students League in NYC with the late Isaac Soyer, Harvey Dinnerstein, David Leffel, and Richard Goetz. Exhibits: The artist has received more than 75 awards including the Solo Show Award, Grumbacher Award, and the Pen and Brush Award at the Pen and Brush Club in NYC. Her exhibits include Studio Main Street Gallery in L.I., the Pen & Brush Club in NYC, as well as numerous banks, libraries, hospitals and clubs. Group exhibitions include the Art Gallery in Corning, NY, the Paper Mill Playhouse, NJ, and the US Coast Guard on Governor's Island. The artist has exhibited widely in national juried shows at the National Arts Club, Salmagundi club, the Hudson Valley Art Association in NY, and the New Britain Museum of Art in CT. Juried exhibitions in NJ have included Caldwell College, Ridgewood Art Institute, Carrier Foundation, Seton Hall University, and others. She has received an award for Best Still Life and the Caldwell Progress Award at the Caldwell College as well as awards from the Ringwood Manor Art Association, the Art Centre of New Jersey, and the Livingston Art Association. In a period of a few years she had won Best in Show or First Prize awards more than 6 times. Memberships: The artist was a member of the NY and NJ Chapters of the American Artists Professional League, the U.S. Coast Guard Artists, and a life member of the Art Students League in NYC. She is listed in the 19th and 20th editions of Who's Who in American Art and the Millennium editions of Who's Who in America, Who's Who in American Women and Who's Who in the World. Her paintings are in the collections of the U.S. Coast Guard, the University of Connecticut Health Center, Union Trust Bank, CT, and in private collections throughout the northeast. Her work also appeared on the Ocean County Observer and in the Trenton Museums' Best of the Best exhibition.
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 Russo, Eleanor B., (nee Wagnecz) 91, of Cedar Grove, formerly of Woodland Park, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 19, 2021.
Born and raised in Garfield, Eleanor was a resident of Woodland Park for 65 years before recently moving to Cedar Grove. Eleanor worked for Prudential Insurance in Wayne, but most of her life she enjoyed being a full time homemaker to her husband and daughters. She enjoyed bowling as her hobby for many years and was a member of various women's bowling leagues. Eleanor is predeceased by her parents George and Julia Wagnecz and brothers Ernest and William Wagnecz. She was the loving wife of the late Americo (Michael) Russo who passed away in 2016. Eleanor is survived by her loving daughters Deborah Shapllo and her husband Ted and Cathy Radke. Cherished grandmother of five grandchildren: Dayna Shapllo, Ted Shapllo and his wife Erika, Alyssa Shapllo, Melissa Radke, and Jennifer Radke. Proud great-grandmother to Dillon, Arianna and Benjamin Shapllo. She is also survived by her dear nieces Lorlee Schulman and Nancy Rogerwick. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Eleanor's memory to either charity: The American Diabetes Association www.diabetes.org or St. Jude Children’s Hospital www.stjude.org. A private funeral mass for the family was held on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at Our Lady of the Holy Angels Church in Little Falls with the interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Totowa.  Manla, Carole B., (nee Werner), 88, of Boynton Beach, Florida, passed away on Saturday, October 9, 2021.
Born in Passaic on April 29, 1933 to Hans and Elsie Werner, Carole was raised in Clifton and resided in Totowa, NJ for 45 years and later Boynton Beach, Florida for the past 23 years. Carole raised her beloved family and then continued her studies in her forties when she went to community college and completed two years of studies. Throughout her adult life Carole often took Adult Continuing Education Classes as she always had a desire to learn and keep educating herself. She was employed at The Westmount Country Club, The Aspen Hotel, Prudent Publishing and most recently Dauphin & Company before she retired to Florida in 1998. During her retirement Carole became very active in the Leisureville Community. She participated on the Welcome Committee and the Citizen Observer Patrol Committee. She was a member of the Computer Club and volunteered every year to help with their annual Clubhouse Fair as well as many other events and social dances. Carole was a devout member of the Totowa United Methodist Church as well as the First United Methodist Church in Boynton Beach, FL. She was a member of The Church Women's Circle and volunteered her time in the church office and at numerous church functions. Carole was also a volunteer at the Bethesda Hospital Thrift store- "The Bargain Box." Carole loved the beach, especially the tropical, sunny, warm Florida weather where she loved swimming and laying by the pool. She truly appreciated all of nature's beauty and was a true animal lover. She enjoyed gardening, watching baseball- she was an avid NY Mets fan- trips to NYC, and seeing Broadway shows. She had a love of traveling, attending German festivals and clubhouse dances, reading and shopping for others. Above all, was Carole's love for her family which included her husband, four children, her grandchildren who meant the world to her, and her great-grandchildren who she adored. Carole is predeceased by her parents Hans and Elsie. She is also predeceased by her beloved husband Michael Manla who passed in 2001. Devoted mother of three sons and one daughter: Wayne Manla and his wife Linda, Kevin Manla and his wife Cindy, Gary Manla and his wife Josephine, and Kristen Byrne and her husband Tom. She was the cherished grandmother of Marissa, Jessica, Nicholas and his wife Christie, and Alexa Manla. She was the adoring great-grandmother of four great-grandchildren: Josslyn, Tenley, Asher and Axl. Carole is also survived by her loving sister Meta Ryan and caring daughter-in-law Linda Manla. Dear aunt of her godson Scott Poppelwell and niece Bonnie Porter. Carole will be greatly missed by her extended nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. Visiting will be held on Monday, October 18, 2021 from 6-8 PM at Gaita Memorial Home, 154 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Little Falls. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 11 AM at the Totowa United Methodist Church, 105 Church St., Totowa, NJ. Please meet directly at church. Interment to follow at Laurel Grove Memorial Park, Totowa. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Peggy Adams Rescue League, 3200 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33409 or the Totowa United Methodist Church, 105 Church St., Totowa, NJ 07512. Envelopes will be provided by the funeral home during visiting hours for your convenience.  DeMasi, Jennie, 96, a life long resident of Newark, passed away on Sunday, October 3, 2021. Beloved aunt of her niece Virginia Galizia and nephews Carlo Galizia, Ralph Galizia, and Sal Cocco.
Born in Newark, Jennie lived there her entire life. She worked for Western Electric for 20 years before her retirement. Jennie was a parishioner of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Newark. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, October 7, 2021 at 9:30 AM at Our Lady of the Holy Angels Roman Catholic Church, 473 Main Street, Little Falls. If attending meet directly at the church. Interment to follow at Glendale Cemetery, 28 Hoover Avenue, Bloomfield.  Mary Rose Costa Nease, 84, of Little Falls, passed away on Saturday, October 2, 2021.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland she was the oldest of 11 siblings. Mary worked at Maryland Casualty for 15 years before moving to New Jersey to start her family. It was there she worked in the hotel industry for 20 years until her retirement. Mary Rose is survived by her three loving children: Tina Chalk and her husband Dave, Donna Nease and the late Steve, Lisa Nease and Louis. She is also survived by her beloved granddaughter Stephanie Chalk. Dear sister of Philip Costa, Vince and Darlene Costa, Joseph Costa and the late Joanne, Sarah Costa, the late Concetta, the late Annette, Brenda and Dennis Geslois, the late Charles, the late Frank and Joan Costa, and the late Jack and Carol Costa. You could always find Mary Rose in the kitchen cooking her favorite meatballs, pasta and sauce. She loved to grow tomatoes in her garden. Her favorite time of year was when she would take a trip back to see her family, for her heart was always in Maryland. She was the life of the party who loved to dance and was always the first on the dance floor. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, October 8, 2021 at 10 AM at Our Lady of the Holy Angels Roman Catholic Church, 473 Main Street, Little Falls. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Stroke Association would be appreciated. www.stroke.org  Helen Cap, 88, of Belmar, New Jersey, loving wife and mother passed away on October 1, 2021.
Helen was born in Newark, New Jersey, daughter to Victoria and George Petropoulos, and was a proud first generation American. Her father had a successful restaurant, The Central Coffee Pot, in Newark's Farmer's Market where Helen was often found helping out behind the register or swapping her shoe rations for sugar rations during World War II. She enjoyed summers at the Jersey Shore where she would swim in the ocean, stroll the boardwalk with her sister Persephone and go fishing with her brother Peter. After graduating Barringer High School, Helen went to secretarial school then on to become the secretary to the head of advertising at Bamberger's and was featured in several print ads. On New Year's Eve 1964, John Cap, Jr. of Bayonne, NJ, was lucky enough to be set up on a blind date with Helen, which resulted in a wedding the following June on Flag Day and a marriage of 57 years. Helen and John raised their three daughters Johanna, Stephanie, and Andrea in West Orange. Helen was a nurturing mother and immersed her daughters in their ethnic cultures by taking them to Greek school and Slavic dancing lessons, making Ukrainian pysanky eggs with them, and keeping holiday traditions. Helen also enjoyed cooking and taught her daughters how to make traditional foods of their family's Greek and Russian heritages. Helen was an active and life-long member of her church, SS. Nicholas, Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church where she held many roles including Philoptochos Vice President and Treasurer and was awarded Mother of the Year in 2009. Helen loved her Greek Orthodox community of friends and tirelessly volunteered at her church by baking, working at festivals and knitting blankets for AIDS babies and patients. Helen enjoyed reading, gardening and sewing. She was known for making award winning Halloween costumes for her children and superhero capes for her grandchildren. She loved going to the boardwalk and playing games with her grandchildren who affectionately called her Yia Yia. She also loved to entertain and always wore a beautiful smile as she welcomed friends and family to her home. Her many friends regarded her as a friend who was there for you when you needed her. Helen also volunteered her time for the Alzheimer's Association. During her long marriage to John, they traveled to Greece, Egypt, Russia, London, Belgium and France and spent their retirement in Belmar where they would enjoy evenings going to local concerts and sitting on their porch. Helen is survived by her husband John Cap, and their daughters Johanna Cap Gatch, Stephanie Sackariasen and her husband Kurt, Andrea Kruger and her husband Mike; Grandchildren Alexis, Kurt, Lily, Mia and Violet. A viewing will be held at Gaita Memorial Home, 154 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Little Falls, NJ 07424, on Monday, October 4, 2021 from 4 PM to 8 PM with a Parastas blessing and memorial at 7 PM. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at 10 AM at SS Nicholas, Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 82 Laurel Avene, Roseland, NJ 07068- please meet directly at church- followed by a 1 PM burial at St. Vladimir's Russian Orthodox Cemetery, 316 Cassville Road, Jackson, NJ 08527 and repass in Neptune. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy research at www.psp.org or you can mail a check made out to Cure PSP to Cure PSP, 1216 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001. Envelopes will also be provided by the funeral home during visiting hours. |