Mary Cecelia Marino

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” Such was the advice of Mother Teresa, and the outcome of how Mary lived her life. She wouldn’t have spent much time reflecting on it though; she was a woman of action over philosophy. For Mary, loving and giving came as naturally and reflexively as breathing. Maybe it was the result of growing up poor, one of 8 children on a little patch of dirt that was cleared and worked by her father to help feed the family. Maybe it was the playful teasing of her four brothers or the watchful mothering of her older sister. Or maybe it was sharing the chores and adventures that went along with hard-scrabble country living. Whichever the cause, Mary developed a deep and abiding love of life, a healthy respect for hard work, and a life-long commitment to making her family and friends happy.rnSuch was the young woman who captured the heart of Charlie Marino one night at the Oasis dance club. She had graduated Swedesboro High School and was working in a sewing factory. Charlie and Mary were married in 1947, and began a life journey that would include two daughters, Mary Ann and Joan, a successful business, Marino’s T.V., and a warm, welcoming home. While helping Charlie as the bookkeeper for their business, Mary would garden, can, cook, sew and clean with enthusiastic diligence. All of that work was preparatory to sharing her home and hospitality with family and friends, eating, laughing and playing cards. She loved to spend weekends and vacations on the family boat, and always caught more fish than anyone else. Although she wasn’t fond of flying, Mary traveled extensively with Charlie, first overseas, and then within the U.S. She especially loved trips to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where she could enjoy the “all-you-can-eat” crab hot spots.rnAfter Mary Ann (Gary) Melson and Joan (Jeffrey) Cannon had their own children, Mary’s pride and joy became her grandsons. From fulfilling Christmas wishes to slipping them some K-Mart money; from showering them with hugs and kisses to playing for hours with them on the living room floor; nothing pleased her as much as spoiling Gary Melson, and John and Bryce Cannon. Along with her daughters, son-in-law and grandchildren, Mary is survived by brother and sister John and Catherine Slusarski , and many nieces and nephews. Come celebrate 89 years of great living and loving (February 15, 1921 – January 28, 2011) Thursday from 6-8pm and Friday from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. at Daley Life Celebration Studio, Swedesboro. Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m. at Incarnation Church, Mantua. Burial St. Joseph Cemetery, Woolwich. Donations in lieu of flowers to Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011,Washington, DC 20090-6011 will be appreciated. –