Mary M Pellecchia

Mary M. Pellecchia, of Franklin Park, passed away Sunday, September 1, 2024 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, at the age of 77. Born in Scranton, PA, she was raised in Franklin Township and lived in Nebraska with her husband Frank while he served in the Air Force, where she taught her “lovely” students at St. Patrick’s School in Omaha. They returned to Franklin in 1970. 

Mary received her bachelor's degree from Douglass College in New Brunswick and for 31 years was an innovative, creative English teacher who was beloved by her students. “Mrs. P.” retired from Sayreville War Memorial High School in 2001. She was advisor to the Drama Department’s makeup crew and designed and constructed costumes for theatre productions for many years, providing a safe, welcoming space for artists from all backgrounds. She was a member of the NJEA and the grievance chairwoman for the Sayreville Teacher’s Union. 

Mary never met a craft she wouldn’t try at least once, and blossomed into a true artist, winning Blue Ribbons for her quilts. She enjoyed collecting beads and shells from around the world, incorporating them into jewelry and gifts for every occasion. She was a voracious reader who loved language, history, and discussions with her book club. 

Mary was a faithful fan of Yankees baseball and had the great fortune of seeing David Cone’s perfect game in person, a family holiday celebrated every year since. She enjoyed vacationing in the Berkshires and Acadia National Park in Maine, and her deep love of animals and the natural world led to many rescue pets of a wide variety of species.

She is predeceased by her parents Edward and Anna (Shinosky) McDonough, and her sister Louise “Bobbie” Murphy.

Surviving is her loving husband of 56 years, Frank Pellecchia; her daughter Erin Pellecchia (Talis Knets) of Jersey City; her sister Janice Breslin of Washington, NJ; her sister Louise’s partner Duncan of Los Angeles, CA; her brothers-in-law Robert (Michele) Pellecchia of Dayton and Christopher (Karen) Pellecchia of Brick; and many nieces and nephews.

Services are private under the direction of The Crabiel Home for Funerals, 170 N Main St.-at Riva Avenue, Milltown. You may sign the online condolence guestbook at www.crabiel.com