Obituary of Marcia J. DiPasquale

Marcia Jean DiPasquale (nee Berry) passed peacefully on Monday, October 29, 2018.  She shared 93 years of  love and literature with her family and friends and 55 years of marriage with her beloved husband Phil.  Arrangements were held under the direction of the Norman Dean Home For Services. Interment will take place with her husband at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover on Saturday, November 24th at 12 noon.  A Celebration of Marcia's Life has benen planned for Thursday, December 27th.  Please contact her family for complete details.  Donations in her memory may be made to the good work of St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center.

Predeceased by her husband Philip and her brothers Thomas and Edward; she leaves beautiful memories to her daughters Carol Burnett (Gordon) and Susan Graf (John); her grandchildren Matthew Burnett, John Graf Jr. (Natasha Arduengo) and Kimberly Graf (Barry Brown); her great grandchildren Savannah Graf,  Justice Arduengo and Aiden Brown, and many more dear relatives and friends.

Marcia was born in Albany, NY to the late Thomas and Katherine Berry.  She was the third child to bless the Berry family.  She attended high school at Albany Academy for Girls and cherished one classmate in particular as her lifelong friend - the miles between them never affected their more than 70-year friendship. After high school, she attended Parsons School of Design and NYU studying art.  She met her husband Phil Di Pasquale on a blind date (set up by a former boyfriend!) and the couple soon married and settled in Mt. Tabor, where they raised their daughters.

Marcia  loved school and always had a love of drawing, painting, ice skating, reading and learning.  She adored her sweet little dog, Pal, who lovingly followed her everywhere (including to school!) and slept on her bed. At 11 years old, Marcia and Pal made the local newspaper (2/10/36) when a reporter saw her hitch up Pal to her little sled on Van Vechten Street “for the daily romp.” It always tickled her that her mother would chide anyone for feeding the dog at the table while all along she was sitting forward in her chair with Pal behind her so she could slip him tidbits behind her back.

She worked as a commercial artist, telephone customer service representative and for over 30 years she dedicated herself to the Parsippany Troy Hills Public Library.  She was a dedicated, enthusiastic librarian and an avid reader who relished in sharing this passion with others. Marcia loved being a librarian as much as she loved reading.  You could always find her in her chair with a book.  She was very proud of achieving the title of Head Librarian.

Victorian Village at Lake George was a favored vacation spot for Marcia and Phil for many years and we always met Ed, Marion, Eddie and Eileen there. The owners of Victorian Village became longtime friends and they exchanged telephone calls and cards for decades.

Marcia loved all music, from Classical to Swing and Big Band, and she could Jitterbug and Lindy Hop all night.  Pavarotti was a favorite as was Sinatra and Lena Horn. Marcia adored watching  figure skating on TV and was in her glory when the Winter Olympics were on. Watching college football games was another favorite past time.

She and Phil were in a neighborhood bridge club. Marcia loved her neighbors and her community. Children's Day in Mt. Tabor was one of her favorite days of the year and she loved having her grandchildren up to share in the festivities - carnival rides, parades with decorated floats, fire engines, ice cream and pony rides.

Having lived through the Depression, Marcia was from the era of “waste not, want not.”  She could make 4 sandwiches from a single can of tuna fish! She was a very good cook and loved dressing up to entertain. Family parties at the holidays were always special occasions with lots of love, great food and merriment (especially with Ed, Tom and Glenn present!).  Her 40th and 75th surprise birthday parties were among her favorite memories.

Marcia and Phil shared a love of travel and enjoyed visiting many European countries together.

She also spent some time travelling out west with Eileen in 2008 -- which came to be known as “Marcia and Eileen's Excellent Adventure.”

Marcia never dwelled on sorrows though she did occasionally shed some tears that she was the last remaining sibling. The sadness passed quickly, however - there were books to read!

She always said that Phil made her laugh everyday. They are together now, and right beside Phil is her beloved brother Ed, grinning and holding out his hand saying “Thank you for coming!”