Mary J Panella

Mary was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, on May 7, 1936, to Eva and Alfred Geiger. She attended Benedictine Academy and graduated in 1954. She went on to earn her RN license at Saint Elizabeth Hospital. Mary was married to John, the love of her life for 37 years and a devoted mother to her four sons—Mike, Tim, Pete, and Jim.

A longtime parishioner of St. Cecelia’s Church, Mary was a member of the Rosary Society and volunteered at the St. Cecelia’s Iselin Fair and bingo. She enjoyed crossword puzzles and game shows, loved her walks in Merrill Park with friends, and had a lifelong passion for country music, especially Johnny Cash and the Statler Brothers.

Holiday gatherings at Mary’s home were always a highlight. Large platters of steaming ravioli, meatballs, sausage, pepperoni, homemade cookies, and love filled her holiday table. Sons, daughters‑in‑law, and grandchildren gathered around—quite an accomplishment for an Irish‑German woman who married into an Italian family. Mary loved nothing more than being surrounded by family, and she supported her children and grandchildren through countless wrestling matches, football and baseball games, dance recitals, karate demonstrations, graduations, communions, and birthdays. Each event brought her tremendous joy.

Mary had an infectious laugh—one that often turned into unstoppable fits of giggles. Her laughter left everyone around her in stitches, sometimes to the point of tears and shortness of breath. As a family, those moments became cherished memories. Later, when she moved to Parker at Monroe, the staff frequently commented on her lovely smile and gentle, pleasant demeanor.

Mary is survived by her four sons: Mike Panella; Tim Panella and his wife Debbie, and their daughters Rachel and Kelsey and her husband Nick; Pete Panella and his wife Karen, and their children Nick and Jen; and Jim Panella and his wife Lisa, and their sons Austin and Gavin. She was preceded in death by her husband John, her parents Eva and Alfred Geiger, and her sister Joan Granville.

Funeral services will be held at St. Cecelia’s Church on June 4 at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at St. Gertrude’s Cemetery in Colonia, New Jersey. Visitation will take place at Gosselin Funeral Home in Edison on June 4 from 9:30 to 10:30 AM.

Memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful caregivers and staff at Parker at Monroe for the kindness, compassion, and respect they showed Mary.

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