Obituary of Martha F. Mercadante

Martha Felicia (Powers) Mercadante, age 86, died peacefully on December 28, 2013. Martha was born January 8, 1927, in Glens Falls, NY, the daughter of the late William and Julia (O’Leary) Powers. She graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Glens Falls, NY in 1945. Martha was a proud volunteer for the Civil Air Patrol at the Warren County Airport during World War II. Her first job was as a clerk at Montgomery Ward in Glens Falls and later she worked as a secretary at the Imperial Paper Company until 1957 when she married Vincent “Jim” Mercadante and moved to West New York, NJ. A few years later the couple settled in Denville, NJ where together, they raised their five children. Martha was a proud American who spoke often about being appreciative to have what she needed as a child during the Depression. She also shared many stories about life growing up on a farm as one of twelve children. Martha worked tirelessly as a homemaker and the mother of five. Outside of the home, she worked for several years in the 1970s as a school cook with the Franciscan nuns at St. Elizabeth’s Montessori School in Parsippany. Martha also volunteered as a secretary on Sunday mornings for St. Mary’s CCD program for many years. She enjoyed sewing and was a gifted knitter who made hundreds of amazing gifts for her children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends. She also carried on this tradition with Vince’s fellow soldiers stationed in South Korea in the 1980s and the children they met in orphanages there. For thirty-five years Martha was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Denville. She also served as a member of the Altar/Rosary Society, and was a tireless volunteer for the Mary’s Association of Service and Help (MASH*07834) program at St. Mary’s. Martha considered her greatest blessings to be her five healthy children. Her greatest pride was watching her children and grandchildren evolve and grow. She endeavored to pass along the blessings and values that she considered important and felt fortunate to have received in her own life: faith, a good education, a loving family, hard work, and giving back to one’s community. Martha was predeceased by her husband, Vincent, in 1981. She is survived by her loving children; Richard (Jane) Mercadante, FL.; Vincent (Regina) Mercadante, NJ; Noreen Mercadante (Wayne Duffy), NY; Michele (James) Neff, SC; and Felicia (Thomas) Hunter, NY. Martha is the proud grandmother of Catherine Mercadante, Nicholas Mercadante, and Mackenzie and Rebecca Hunter. Martha was predeceased by sisters; Marjorie Powers, Rachael MacEwan, and her kindred spirit and twin sister, Margaret Monroe Altizio; and by her brothers, W. Lawrence and Paul Powers. She is survived by her brothers Joseph (Ann) Powers, and Leo Powers; and sisters, Lucile O’Brien, Patricia (Bud) Jameson, Veronica Powers and Natalie Powers all of NY state. Also surviving is her dear, lifelong friend, co-worker at Montgomery Ward, and sister-in-law, Kay (Ramsey) Mercadante, NJ; several loving sisters and brothers-in-law, and dozens of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Her children would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff at St. Mary’s Assisted Living and especially Aurora, Eunide, Keisha, Lolita, Oliven, Priscilla, and all of the staff at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home at Morris Hall in Lawrenceville, NJ who gave mom their loving care over the past six years. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the important work of one of the following: St. Mary’s-St. Alphonsus Regional Catholic School’s “Guardian Angel Fund”, 10-12 Church St., Glens Falls, NY 12801; “ Journeys” Pediatric Palliative Care Program c/o Albany Medical Center Foundation, Mail Code 119, 43 New Scotland Ave., Albany, NY 12208; or Morris Hall/Staff Appreciation Fund, c/o 1st Floor Nurses Station, 2381 Lawrenceville Rd., Lawrenceville, NJ 08648-2024. Friends and relatives may visit from 4-8pm on Thursday, January 2nd at the Norman Dean Home For Services, Denville, NJ. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Denville at 10 am on Friday, January 3rd, 2014. Interment will follow at the Denville Cemetery.