Mary Lou Marchese

Mary Lou Marchese (nee Ferrante,) a long term resident of Jersey City and devoted parishioner of our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, passed away November 12, 2017.  She was born in Ashtabula, Ohio and was one of ten children born to Carmela and John Ferrante who predeceased her along with her beloved husband Dominic Marchese, daughter Pamela Reilly, brothers Dominck Ferrante, Fred Ferrante, Sebastian (Joey Ferrando) Ferrante, Samuel Ferrante and sister Rosemary Burgess. She is survived by her daughter Catherine Nochella, sisters Linda Costa, Amelia Byars, Margaret Searls her husband Joseph Searls, brother Joseph Ferrante along with five grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great- grandchild and countless nieces and nephews.

Mary Lou may be remembered as a waitress at the Holiday Inn near the Holland Tunnel for over 30 years.  She lived on Corbin Ave most of her life when the family moved to Jersey City when she was 16 years of age.  She attended Dickinson High School where she studied secretarial skills, but waitressing became a passion, as she loved interaction with customers and was known for her quick wit.  Mary Lou was a crossword and jumble zealot.  Those who were regulars at the Holiday Inn would often turn to her for answers for the Jersey Journal daily crossword as well as the New York News daily jumble.

Mary Lou is remembered by her family as fun loving, caring and a devoted sister, mother and grandmother and aunt.

After living in Jersey City for over 65 years, she moved to Pearland, Texas to live with her daughter Catherine Nochella where she resided until her death. She was 92 years old.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 28, 2017, 5:00pm to 9:00pm at RIOTTO FUNERAL HOME & Cremation Company, 3205 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07306.  Funeral will begin on Wednesday, November 29, 2017, 9:30am at the funeral home.  Funeral Mass will follow 10:30am at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Jersey City.  Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.