Obituary of Mary Montefusco

Mary Montefusco (nee Gentile), 98, of Paterson, NJ, loving mother, 
grandmother, and aunt passed away peacefully on January 14, 2019, at 
Preakness Healthcare Center, Wayne after suffering a stroke some years 
ago. Born in Cisternino, Italy, Mary came with her parents as an infant 
to America passing through Ellis Island. The family settled in Paterson 
where, except for a few years in Totowa, Mary remained her entire life. 
 

At one time Mary and her husband Frank were the proprietors of Dashion 
Cleaners until Frank’s untimely death in an accident. Mary was a member 
of the St. Gerard’s Senior Citizens.

She will be remembered as a wonderful cook, fabulous seamstress who 
could do wonders with a needle and thread, and someone who always looked 
to do good things for others. 

Mary is survived by her devoted children, Judie Dougherty and her 
husband Tom of Morristown, NJ; Dennis Montefusco and his wife Patricia 
of Little Elm, TX; her grandchildren who she adored and cherished, Megan 
Montefusco and T.J. and Hunter Dougherty. Mary would say they were her 
whole life. She was predeceased by her younger siblings Ann Dunn and 
Bart Gentile. She is survived by her brother John Gentile and his wife 
Jody of Culpeper, Virginia. She also leaves behind nieces and nephews 
who never forgot their Aunt Mary and visited along with her cousins, 
devoted friends and extended family. Thank you to the caring staff at 
Preakness Healthcare Center. A very special thank you to her devoted and 
loving caregiver Nancy who was wonderful with Mary and did an 
exceptional job. 

Memorial donations may be made to Avon Old Farms, 500 Old Farms Road, 
Avon, CT 06001 (avonfoldfarms.com) with notation grandmother of T.J. 
Dougherty ’11 or Delbarton, 230 Mendham Road, Morristown, NJ 07960 
(Delbarton.org) with notation grandmother of Hunter Dougherty ’11.

A viewing will be held at DeLuccia-Lozito Funeral Home, 265 Belmont 
Avenue, Haledon on Thursday, January 17, from 3 to 7 p.m. A Mass of 
Christian burial will be held 10 a.m. on Friday, January 18, at St. 
Gerard Majella RC Church, 501 West Broadway, Paterson. Entombment will 
be in Calvary Cemetery, Paterson, NJ.