Born in Mauro Lucano, Italy on March 24, 1923, Gerry sailed to NY, landing on Ellis Island on December 10, 1937. She and her family resided on Parker Street in the Bronx, NY and that is where she met the boy next door, Luke DeMayo. He was the love of her life and they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary together on June 18, 2014. Gerry, an accomplished seamstress, started her career working at her brother’s company making ballet slippers. She moved onto Met Life where she retired after 30 years of service. Luke and Gerry enjoyed an active retirement in Toms River, NJ. She was a member of the bocci club, and enjoyed all of the Holiday City activities, her favorite was shopping! She shopped almost every day, many times you would find her walking with her NYC shopping cart around town.
She mostly went to the supermarket as she loved to cook, and wanted only fresh ingredients. No one can rival her veal Parmigianino. Thanksgiving is never complete without her amazingly delicious stuffing! You couldn’t leave her house without being stuffed like a turkey yourself!
When she wasn’t cooking or taking care of her loving husband Luke, she spent her time writing letters to friends from around the world, many of whom she met at her favorite vacation destination, Miami Beach, Florida.
Gerry cherished her family most. She adored her only child Luke Jr, she and her husband wanted only the best for Luke and worked hard to make sure he was well educated. She was so proud when he graduated college as a Chemical Engineer. She always took good care of her son and later in life he took good care of her.
Luke Jr. and his wife Diane blessed Gerry with four Grandchildren and their spouses, Keri DeMayo, Melodi Cornetta , Krysti and Matt Mastrolacasa and Christopher and Kelly DeMayo. But to be truthful it was her 6 Great grandchildren who stole her heart, her house was filled with pictures of Cassidy, Christopher, Matteo, Mariella, Layla and Molly.
Gerry was a devout catholic; she was never without a cross, saint’s metal, or rosary beads. In her memory we ask that you make a donation to one of the following organizations:
St Francis Church of Hoboken – Memorial Fund or St. Jude Children’s Hospital or
308 Jefferson Street 501 St. Jude Place
Hoboken, NJ 07030 Memphis, TN 38105
One Simple Wish
1977 North Olden Avenue
Suite 292
Trenton, NJ 08618
www.onesimplewish.org
Services will be held at Cochran Funeral home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840 on Monday, December 15, 2014 at 11:30 am with the Father Abuchi Nwosu officiating.
Visitation will be at the funeral home on Sunday, December 14, 2014 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm.
Interment will follow services at Pequest Union Cemetery, Great Meadows, NJ.
Grandma DeMayo from Toms River has relocated, please forward your prayers to Heaven, she would love to hear from you!