Marie C. Manna (nee Cafeo) of Atlantic City, New Jersey, passed away unexpectedly on May 17, 2022 at the age of 95. Marie is survived by her daughter, Desireé M. Manna, and her granddaughter, Alexandra L. Manna. She is predeceased by her husband, Anthony Manna, sister, Doris Bugnolo (nee Cafeo) and her son, Gerard J. Manna. Marie C. Manna was born on April 13, 1927 in Atlantic City, New Jersey to John Cafeo and Rose Cafeo (nee DeFlavia). Marie graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1945 and went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania. While there, she studied education and earned a B.S. degree in Secondary Education with a minor in History. She also was a member of the Modern Dance Group in the “Class of 1949”. Later, she studied Elementary Education and became a 4th grade teacher. Marie taught in the Northfield, NJ School District for approximately 20 years and shared her passion for learning with the many students whose lives she impacted. Marie, as a single woman, was also passionate about dancing and enjoyed traveling to New York City to Roseland Dance Hall on Broadway in the winter season on Saturday nights doing her favorite dances, the Paso Doble and the Tango. While on vacation in Rome, Italy with her mother, Rose, in 1955, Marie met her future husband, Anthony Manna, at the Piazza Esedra and instantly fell in love. After two years of written courtship (all in the Italian language), Marie and Anthony decided to wed. Marie’s love for Anthony and strong will to travel led her on an 8-day journey across the Atlantic Ocean on an ocean liner with her bridal gown in tow. When she arrived, she spent two months getting acquainted with her future in-laws and the to finally wed in a beautiful historic Catholic Church in Salerno, Italy on August 10, 1957. However, Marie did not return to the U.S. with her husband due to the laws at the time. Instead, she waited six months before finally reuniting with her beloved Anthony. Soon after that, Marie and Anthony started a family and had their son Gerard on December 31, 1958. Five years later, they had their daughter, Desireé, on April 7, 1964. Marie was an extremely proud and protective mother and wife and worked passionately as a teacher while also raising a family and caring for her own parents who lived next door in the Chelsea Heights section of Atlantic City, NJ. Marie enjoyed cooking, knitting, crocheting, reading about history, ballroom dance, gardening, a variety of music, and a glass of wine at dinner. Marie also loved to host her family for Sunday dinners where she would whip up some of the most delicious authentic Italian dishes. She even shared recipes with special friends. Her knowledge was vast about many subjects with exceptional spelling skills. In her later years, she grew a love for animals, especially dogs. She enjoyed spending time with Rusty, her caregiver, Pilar’s, dog at her daughter’s home. She was to be a grand mom to her future fur baby Scottie, the name of her childhood dog and breed a Scottish Terrier who would arrive in the beginning of June. Desireé cared for Marie for the past four years in her home in West Berlin, NJ along with three care givers who loved, cared, and honored her every day. Marie was an extremely strong-willed, vibrant, fiery, passionate, sweet, beautiful, intelligent, cultured, elegant and religious woman who was dedicated to family and she will be greatly missed by many. Our hearts are heavy to have lost such a wonderful mother and friend. Mother.... My World, My Everything A Poem from Your Daughter When thoughts and feelings of having no purpose in my life and felt unworthy of my existence.... You began to call in a subtle way, that you needed some assistance when you turned the age of ninety. I took you to my home one day to live and help you fix all the things that were broken. You decided it was the best for you to allow your children to care of you. By doing so you grew into a fully blooming flower that lit up the rooms of my home and all of those who knew you. Your sweet face and twinkling eyes that sparkled with each smile allowed me to know you were truly happy with the caring that was provided. The profound love we shared for one another was the most fulfilling of my life as well as several others. Your grateful words of “thanks” each day for being taken care of filled our hearts with love and honor. No selfish act would allow me to ever leave you for one moment. You are the world to me and with every passing moment I looked at you and felt a calm you were happy as can be. You allowed me to spoil you and treat you like my Queen. The lavender aroma you enjoyed each night before you went to bed kept you calm and peaceful for no worry ahead. The goodnight kisses and silliness were part of our routine as we laughed and kissed again and finally went to bed. Each day began the same as every other, with love and caring laughter, a good breakfast, lunch and dinner and snack among another. In my heart I always felt you would be with me forever to allow me to continue to care for you and love you forever and ever. Now my home is empty, without your sweet voice calling me. I cry because I miss you terribly and my heart is very heavy. Your beauty now will shine in heaven with Daddy and Jerry by your side. I look forward to the day patiently to be reunited with you all. Say hello and embrace them and give them many kisses as we shared and let them know I will see you all one day soon. With all my love, Desirée. A viewing will be held Sunday, May 22nd from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm and again on Monday, May 23rd from 8:30 am to 9:30am at LeRoy P. Wooster Funeral Home and Crematory, 441 White Horse Pike, Atco, NJ, 08004. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am at St. Michael's Church, 10 N. Mississippi Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 5061 Harding Hwy, Mays Landing, NJ 08330. A livestream of the service will be available to view via this link Livestream Link or by clicking on the tribute wall tab.