Obituary of Maria Guerriero

Maria Guerriero, 70

Maria Guerriero (nee Spiniello), 70, of West Orange passed away on Friday July 3, 2020 at her daughter’s home surrounded by her loving family.  

Visiting will be held on Wednesday July 8, 2020 from 4 to 7 pm at The Dangler Funeral Home of West Orange, 340 Main Street in West Orange.

A Funeral Mass will be offered on Thursday July 9, 2020 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 103 Center St. in Orange. Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Mausoleum in East Hanover. 

Due to the recommended safety measures caused by the Coronavirus, at the request of the family, please no physical contact, friends are invited to pay their respects and not linger so others can come in and do so.

Letters of condolence may be posted at danglerfuneralhome.com. In lieu flowers, donations can be made in Maria’s name to; St. Jude Childrens Research hospital, 501 St Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105-9959

Maria was born in Prata, Italy moving to Orange then to West Orange in 1990. She worked on the factory line at Steven’s Products in East Orange.

Maria was the beloved wife of 47 years to the late Mario Guerriero. Loving daughter of Maria Spiniello and the late Vincenzo Spiniello. Devoted mother of Emilia Cullen and her husband James, and Patsy Guerriero and his wife Gina. Cherished grandmother of Angela, Anthony, Alyssa, Mario, and Gabriella. Loving sister of Giovanni and his wife Maria, and Mafalda Oliviero and her husband Antonio.

“Chi si volta, e chi si gira, sempre a casa va finire.” Nonna was home. She was the glue that held our family together, the one that we could all go to and speak our minds; and then she would tell you if you were right or acting stupid. She was strong, and had a heart of gold. She took care of everyone and never turned anyone away from her door. I always knew that no matter what, I would always be able to come home to her.

Every Sunday she’d cook a feast, and you’d always have enough food to last you through Wednesday. Pasta, meatballs, salad and chicken cutlets, that was the usual menu. She made sure I was taken care of, even when I was hours away from home for school. So many times on my return trips to school, she would pack the car with a fresh pot of pasta sauce and tell me to “open you eyes” and stay safe while away from home. She was such a strong portion of my childhood. She helped raise me and teach me the traditions that define our family (like making 200 jars of pasta sauce every August). She loved her children and her grandchildren with everything she had, but for the past 4 years she always felt a little empty.

Nonna and Nonno had a relationship like the ones you see in movies and on TV. They’ve been married forever, they did everything and went everywhere together. They knew each other inside and out, and Nonna always knew how to calm Nonno down when he was being stubborn. Since the day Nonno passed, Nonna did everything for her children and grandchildren. She lived FOR us, but it was time for her to go home. She passed peacefully, knowing how much we all loved her.

We will miss you so much. But we are going to be ok. We have each other, and we’ll be strong, just like you taught us. You’re back together with your “Bello” and we couldn’t ask for anything more. We all love you, and we will miss you forever. Dance free with Nonno for all eternity.