Madeline C. Giordano

Madeline Giordano, 90, passed away peacefully at home on July 25, 2012 surrounded by her family and caregiver.

Everyone is invited to attend the Memorial Mass at St. Joseph’s Church, 44 Benvenue Ave., West Orange, N.J. on Saturday, July 28, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. followed by the committal service at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 225 Ridgedale Ave., East Hanover, N.J. Arrangements are by Quinn-Hopping funeral Home of Livingston.

Madeline was born 1921 in Bonito, Avellino Province, Italy to Grace and Pasquale “Patsy” Cecere.

She married her beloved husband of 65 years, the late Ames Giordano, in 1947, choosing him from all of her other suitors because she could talk to him for hours. Madeline loved beauty in nature, painting watercolors of flowers, apples, snowy landscapes and more. She created greeting cards from her artwork, including a loving message, written in perfect schoolteacher handwriting, to many family and friends.

In Madeline’s retirement, she was an active member of Livingston Arts Association, having become an accomplished watercolor artist. She won a first place award for one of her beautiful landscapes. With constant companion, Ames, she would attend the recitals, plays and concerts of grand nieces and nephews because of her appreciation for music, and travelled to Bermuda, Santa Fe, and her home country Italy.

Madeline always wanted to be a teacher, and graduated from Newark State Teacher’s College in 1943, and got a position teaching at Irvington School, Newark, N.J. Madeline was a teacher of basic skills (Title 1) for West Orange Board of Education for 23 years, at among others, Our Lady of Lourdes, Gregory School and Pleasantdale School, retiring in 1991.

Madeline is survived by her son, Robert A. Giordano, married to Gail; daughter Rosanne Giordano Juergens of Centennial, CO, and son, Paul V. Giordano and Lynda Marut; she was an adoring grandmother to Robert M. Giordano, and Trevor D. Juergens of Colorado.

Her surviving sibling is Macy Cecere, Atlantic City, N.J.; she also leaves many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Ames in June 2012.

Please omit flowers. In her memory, please donate to Arts Council of Livingston, N.J. for the Livingston Arts Association.