MOORE — Lillian C. Moore, 99, of Swedesboro, departed this life on Feb. 08. She’s survived by loving family and friends.
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LUSSIER — Pete M. Lussier, 93 of Woolwich Township passed away peacefully March 2 at his residence.
Born in St. Elisabeth, Canada, he had resided in Woolwich Township since 2011, coming from Palm Desert, CA and Maui, HI. He was a retired real estate agent, loved his work and meeting new people.
Pete was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Parish, St. Francis Council #7526, KOC. He was an avid reader, music lover, a man with a great personality, sense of humor and an infectious smile.
He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Patricia, his sons Gregory (Susan) and Kevin, a daughter Susan (Bill) Felice, a granddaughter, Rhianna Mercier, his sisters, Edith and Jean and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a son, Mark, and sisters, Denise, Rolande, Rita, Mary and Gertrude.
Donations in his memory may be made to the St. Francis Council #7526, c/o of St. Clare of Assisi Parish, 140 Broad St. Swedesboro, NJ 08085 would be appreciated.
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HERMAN — Rose Herman, age 71, of Mickleton, passed away peacefully and without pain on March 7. She departed with her family at bedside, surrounded by love, each telling her how much she meant to them.
Marty, her husband of 39 years, also known affectionately as “Herm,” was her companion, her soulmate, and most importantly, her partner in life. She was the mother of four wonderful children and was queen to them all: Gregory Herman (Norah), Nichole Kanauss (Keith), and step-sons Robert Herman and Elliott Herman (Randi). But it was the grandchildren with whom she shined brightest.
They weren’t just the apple of her eye, they were All-Stars–every one of them. Each day was filled with thoughts of Sarah, Jessica, Ari, Alexis, Cole, Kayla, Sophie, and little Henry. Rose also enjoyed the wonderful benefit of close, close friends. While she started this life with two sisters, Ronnie Prescott (Freddie) and Lorraine Binkowski, she leaves this life with far more sisters than she started.
Donations may be made to the Colonial Manor Methodist Church of West Deptford, 56 Elberne Avenue, West Deptford, NJ 08096.
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SPARKS — 89 of Logan Township, passed away peacefully on March 8. Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa, she resided in Logan Township since 1977 coming from Bensalem, PA. and West Deptford.
She was a Navy Veteran having served during the Korean War. Maryann graduated from the Women’s College of Medicine, School of Nursing, Phila, Pa., Class of ’59 and received her master’s degree in education from Temple University, Class of ’69.
She also became a Medical Compliance Auditor for Crozer-Keystone Corp. in Upland, PA. A member of St. Clare of Assisi Parish, she shared her time and talents by joining the church choir, becoming a lector and Eucharistic Minister, a member and past President of St. Francis Council #7526 Columbiettes, and a former District Deputy of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Council of the Columbiettes and helped in its formation. Maryann was a past member of Church Council and a former CCD teacher.
She was a member of American Legion Post #89 in Westville, NJ and volunteered at Kings Things in Swedesboro. She was an avid golfer, bowler, cheered for the Eagles and a true dog lover.
Maryann is survived by her nieces and nephews, Sylvia Boyd, Joan Wilbur, John, James and John Dzurica. and 11 great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, James and John Dzurica and niece, Susan Dzurica.
Donations in her memory to Kings Things, 1402 Kings Highway, Swedesboro, NJ 08085 would be appreciated. Cheega Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
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LEONARDI — Sebastian “Benny” Leonardi, 71. Benny loved the land. He was never more at home than when he was exploring the woods with a shotgun in hand or standing on the banks fishing and crabbing. He won a few tractor pulls. Benny spent a lifetime atop the machines.
He was raised on his family’s Logan Township orchard and, as an adult, spare time found his hands in the soil in his garden. Benny’s CB handle was Possum. He drove a truck with the best of them, everything from oil delivery to over the road hauling. His son would follow in his footsteps.
Of course, he found his real calling late in life. He was meant to be a grandfather. Though he loved them all, he had the opportunity to spend the most time with Cody; thick as thieves always accompanying him riding scooters and cutting the lawn. Benny kept it fun as a dad, doing a little WWF style wrestling in the living room and doing a few magic tricks here and there.
He called Brenda his Little Butterfly. Not strict, but he knew how to raise quality kids. His nephews, Joe and Mike, stayed on call if he needed any help. He loved motorcycles, played a bunch of rummy with his best friend, Russell Licciardello, was a fan of Clint Eastwood and graduated from Kingsway (’72)
He is survived by his children, Benny John (Tracey) and Brenda Harris and his grandchildren, Cody, Ralissa, Justin and Elijah.
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CENTONZO — Gloria N. Centonzo (nee Azzari) 99, entered eternal life March 14, 2024.
Formerly of Swedesboro, Gloria was born in Camden. Residing in Swedesboro for most of her life, until after her husband Anthony’s death, she moved in with her daughter and son-in-law in Haddonfield and then Wildwood Crest, enjoying and meeting friends at the Wildwood Senior Center and Active Day Care.
Gloria was a woman for all seasons. She was so talented and excelled at everything she pursued. She was a wonderful homemaker and loved to cook and bake – she was excellent at both. She had a beautiful voice like her mother Rosina, sisters Lydia and Caroline and loved singing in St Joseph’s choir. She would gift and spend time making vestments for many priests and altar linens for her church.
She had the patience to sew and she became the best dressmaker/tailor/fit expert, making alterations and she made beautiful hats. She also made and designed Bridal gowns, heirloom Christening gowns all while taking great care of her husband, four children and her beautiful mother Rosina for 23 years.
There was not anything she could not do, and she did it with grace and perfection. A remarkable, hardworking, loving, faithful life well lived – never to be forgotten and always remembered.
Gloria was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Parish, a member of St. Joseph’s Choir. She was a strong woman, strong in her faith, strong with her family and strong with her values.
Gloria was the wife of the late Anthony Centonzo and is survived by her children, Angela (Stephen) DiMuzio, Grace (Todd) Parker, Domenic Centonzo (Theresa Murphy Cook) and John (the late Karen) Centonzo. Her grandchildren, Stephen, Stephanie (Robert) Vitiello, Allen (Valerie) Centonzo, and Domenic Centonzo. Her great-grandchildren, Ava and Evan Centonzo and brother in law, Benjamin Cueto. She was predeceased by her siblings, Alessio Azzari (Eleanor Azzari Barton), Edavide Azzari (Silvia), Angelina Azzari Casella (Sam II), Lydia Azzari Cucinotta (Domenic) and Caroline Azzari Cueto.
Contributions in her memory to the Dementia Society at www.dementiasociety.org/memorialswould be appreciated. The Cheega Funeral Home, Swedesboro, was in charge of the arrangements.
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LOGUE — Marygail Riddle Kennedy Logue, 42.
Our “little bluebird,” Marygail Riddle Kennedy Logue, marched to her own tune and sang her own song. From early on, Marygail was always the life of the party. She was infectious, bubbly, full of energy, and quick witted; always ready to hit you with a one liner. Her smile was contagious, and her one dimple was unique as her personality. Her presence effortlessly brought light to any room and her wacky dry sense of humor would leave her audience in stitches.
For Marygail, family always came first. She put her loved ones before herself, especially when it came to her nieces and nephews. In fact, she effortlessly assumed the spirit of her role model, Crazy Aunt Alice, in the lives of the kids that she loved, providing for them memories that will live forever.
A close runner-up to her love for her family was Marygail’s love for animals. Any animal in need could do no better than to find their way to Marygail; from carrying a fawn out of the woods and attempting to nurse it back to health to picking up and putting in her new car a large white goose that was badly injured in the center of Route 40.
It is a love that most likely dated back to her formative years spent atop her horse, Darnit Garnet, which led to a degree in Biology and a minor in Marine Biology from Temple University and jobs later with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in its Bureau of Marine Fisheries.
Her internship at TREC, Tropical Research and Education Center in Belize, was an experience she treasured. Her experience working at veterinary hospitals made Marygail the first call friends and family made when they needed compassionate advice on their pet or someone to deliver a puppy.
Marygail loved nature and just being outdoors. Anything from running, hiking, biking, skiing, rock climbing, swimming like a fish or just napping on the beach. Her favorite activity was cutting flowers from our gardens and making bouquets to put around the house.
In her earlier years, she was a catcher for her softball team. Through high school her focus was on cross country and long-distance hurdles.
She loved a good romcom and anything from Dave Matthews Band. Since her twin sisters were her idols, she made sure never to back down from a dare when it came from one of them. Marygail lived in Woolwich Township and was a graduate of Kingsway Regional (Class of 2000).
Marygail met a handsome boy in middle school, and they began dating December 3 of their senior year. Marygail and Ryan shared 24 years together, married on 6/3/11. In addition to Ryan, Marygail is survived by her parents, Thomas R. (Patricia) and Betsy Kennedy; her twin sisters, Lauren (Brian) Dunfee and Elizabeth (Darren) Buseman, her step-sister, Caitlin (Anthony) Pellechio; her beloved nieces and nephews (Sophie, Cali, Drake, Declan, Luke, Nash, Kaden, Lorenzo, Nino, and Rush); her extended family and friends; and her cherished Basset Hounds, Sugar Maple and Magnolia.
In remembrance of Marygail’s love for animals, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Marygail’s memory to the Tri-State Basset Rescue, P.O. Box 471, Deepwater, New Jersey 08023 or online www.tristatebassets.org.
Marygail will be remembered for the unrelenting passion with which she lived her life, and the lasting impact she had on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
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BROOKE — Edith Calhoun Engle Brooke – 1927-2024. Born in Radnor, PA on March 7, 1927, Edith passed away peacefully in Mystic, CT on March 15 surrounded by family after a brief illness.
Edith grew up in Radnor, PA and developed a passion for athletics. She was inducted into the
Radnor High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008 for her athletic prowess in field hockey and
basketball. She went on to play field hockey, basketball, and tennis at Ursinus College where
she graduated in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education.
Edith then moved to Swedesboro where she coached and taught physical education at
Swedesboro High School and the Walter Hill Elementary School for the next 40+ years.
In 1951, she met and married Henry “Budd” Engle (deceased 1970). Together they raised three
daughters (Jodee, Jeanette, and Margo), were faithful members of the United Bethesda Methodist
Church, and were active volunteers in the community.
In 1988, Edith married George Brooke (deceased 2012), a childhood friend, and they lived
together for the next 20 years in Paoli, PA.
Edith lived a full and active life playing tennis, golf, bridge, and cribbage with dear friends, along with enjoying her vacation homes in Ocean City, NJ and Watch Hill, RI.
Edith is survived by her three daughters, Jodee Engle Heritage (and husband, Rich), Jeanette
Engle Ramirez (and husband, Ray), and Margo Engle Burns (and husband, Steve), along with
nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her tremendous pride and
joy. Contributions in Edith’s memory can be made to: StoneRidge Scholarship Fund, 186 Jerry Browne Road, Mystic, CT 06355. Me
