Marion Marotta

Marion Giuffre Marotta, Age 102, of West Long Branch died peacefully on March 11, 2021 in the loving care of the staff at Jersey Shore Center, Eatontown, where she spent her last 4 years.  Marion was born on July 6, 1918 to Thomas & Rose Giuffre in Amsterdam, NY.  She graduated from Wilbur H. Lynch High School, Amsterdam, NY in 1937.  After high school she attended Wilfred Beauty Academy and became a hairdresser.   She worked for a local salon before she opened her own place called Marion’s Beauty Salon.  She loved to work.  She knitted sweaters with St. Rita’s Sodality for the soldiers during WWII.  After the War, she met Joe Marotta Sr. in church and he asked if he could call her.  They were married on Palm Sunday, April 13, 1947.  A year later, the twins, Maryanne and Joanne, were born.  Marion was known for styling hair while patrons held her twin baby girls.  Soon after, Joe Jr was born.  In 1955 she sold Marion's Beauty Salon in NY, moved to Long Branch, NJ, bought Baldanza's Grocery and built a home in West Long Branch.  Family and friends worked at "The Store'', and The Beach Store, near Chelsea Pool, which were famous for their Potato Salad.  After they sold the deli, Marion worked at E.A.I. in West Long Branch, Franklin Simon in the Monmouth Mall and finally Monmouth Park Racetrack .  As an original member of St. Jerome Church and School PTA, she ran one of the school’s first fundraisers, The Calendar Party.  She was President of the Rosary Altar Society and volunteered for many years in the school library.  Attending St. Jerome School became a tradition as 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren have also attended the school.  She enjoyed Ed Sullivan, EWTN and Monmouth Park. Vacations were many (gold MGM initials on her alligator luggage).  Many happy retirement years were spent living at Peter Cooper Village in West Long Branch.  At age 97, she'd still get a chuckle from the Casino Pit Boss while playing separate hands of Black Jack  and demanding a Comp!  Always ready to roll her favorite quips, “do it yesterday” and “don't delay your dreams!”  She also had caring advice for those who never asked and she loved every season at The All Seasons Diner.  Filled with passion and spirit, this “Fireplug” will be missed.  She challenged all, loved all and loved daily mass.  The Earth’s a bit quieter and Heaven’s level is up a notch as she prays for you and hugs our dad.  Thanks Mom!  

Marion was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Sr., daughter, Joanne Caltabilota, son-in-law, Michael Ioli, two grandchildren, Frank S. Caltabolita Jr. and Amanda S. Marotta and great-granddaughter Carmella DeLeonardis and her father Rafaelle "Raffie" DeLeonardis, her brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Elizabeth Giuffre and nephew Michael Giuffre. She is survived by daughter, Maryanne Ioli, son, Joseph Jr. (Susan), son-in-law Frank Caltabilota, Sr., 7 amazing grandchildren and their spouses, Lori DeLeonardis, Joanne (Alexander) Dunn, Tracey (Christopher) Anders, Thomas (Avery) Caltabilota, Gina (Ed) Petrus, Rose (John) Puskar, and Carmen (Breanne) Marotta and 20 beautiful great-grandchildren: Clementina, Michael, Angelo and Lidia DeLeonardis, Juliet and William Dunn, Merriana, Francesca, Christopher and Salvatore Anders, Marco Caltabilota, Joanna and Eddie Petrus, Grace, Jolene and Angelina Puskar, Caius, Nikeo, Franco and Ralph Marotta and many nieces and nephews.

A Funeral mass will be open to the public on July 6, 2021 at St. Jerome Church at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory to Marion may be made to St. Jerome School or The Frank S. Caltabilota Jr. Scholarship Fund.

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