Mary Ann (Ferrari) Eltringham, of Hamilton, NJ, formerly of Highland Park, NJ and Point Pleasant Beach NJ, surrounded by her family, entered into eternal Heavenly peace with Her Lord, on Thursday, November 14, 2024.

Born in Shamokin, PA on December 12, 1935, the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, to Anna (Romanoski) and Louis J. Ferrari Sr.  She died as she lived, in the loving embrace of her family and our Lord.

Mary Ann, the eldest child and grandchild, was brought up surrounded by the love of her large family of sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and many treasured cousins. She was raised in Coal Township, PA, where she excelled in academics, religion, Polish class, and athletics. As a freshman in High School, she was a varsity cheerleader, where she met the love of her life, Robert (Ham) Eltringham cheering him on! They were married on January 15, 1955. The two settled in Highland Park, NJ, where they raised their family for the next 32 years before retiring to Point Pleasant Beach in 1997. Mary Ann worked for Rutgers University, New Brunswick, Alexander Library in acquisitions, processing, and technical and automated services for 22 years.

Mary Ann had an incredible gift for bringing people together and was known for her warm hospitality. She loved hosting gatherings for her large family at her home in Highland Park or her beach homes, where laughter and good times were shared. She was an incredible cook and baker, known for her Polish stuffed cabbage, pot roasts, brown gravy, and delicious cheesecakes. She was an avid reader and loved current events and reading the Home News, Newark Star Ledger, and The New York Post. As a talented crocheter, many have her beautiful afghans. Mary Ann brought joy and creativity to every activity she planned for all who were blessed to be in her life.

Some of her favorite memories were trips with her husband and children where they visited many Shrines of our Blessed Mother in Fatima, Guadalupe, Medjugorje, and the many holy sights in Rome and The Holy Land. Mary Ann enjoyed watching her grandchildren perform in sports, concerts, recitals, and the theater. She also enjoyed cheering on her favorite baseball team, the NY Yankees!

She lost her beloved husband, Bob in 2012 after 57 years of marriage. She then moved to Hamilton in 2015 to be closer to her daughter Judi.

Mary Ann gave generously of her time and was a dedicated volunteer in her home parishes. She was a member of the Altar Rosary Society and cared for the altar linens for mass at both St. Gregory’s Church of Hamilton Square and St. Peter’s of Point Pleasant Beach. She was a CCD teacher at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Highland Park; a Eucharistic Minister to the homebound and a greeter at St. Peter's church. Since 1997 she has volunteered at Madonna House in Neptune, NJ. She continued her service to our Lord as a Cooperator with the religious order of the Daughters of St. Paul where she participated in their retreats and worked at their bookstore.  Mary Ann enjoyed her senior clubs in both Point Pleasant Beach and Hamilton along with being a member of the Garden Club and the Ladies Juliette Luncheon club.

MaryAnn will continue to be a guiding light in the lives of her beloved children, Joy and David Allen, of Wyoming, Elaine Eltringham of Manchester, NJ, Judi and Richard Federowicz of Hamilton Square, NJ, Lisa and John Truskolawski of Kearny, NJ, and Bob and Kelly Eltringham of Cranford, NJ; her eight cherished grandchildren Jacqueline, David and his wife, Katherine, Christopher and his wife, Casey, Alexis, Kara and her husband, Alex, Deanna, Luke and his wife, Elizabeth, and Steven; her great-grandson, Jake; her siblings and their spouses, Patricia Curry, Louise and Jim Beck, Jake and Judy Ferrari, Joe and Joyce Ferrari, Louis Ferrari, Jr.; her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Richard Eltringham, Julianne Eltringham, Linda Eltringham, Richard LeBoon, Suzi Eltringham; and many loving cousins and dear friends.

Above all, Mary Ann’s greatest love was for Jesus. Her Catholic faith was the guiding force in her life, and she found strength and comfort in her deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary Ann lived her faith and won many souls for the Kingdom.

A Visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Saul Colonial Home, 3795 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square, NJ 08690.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great RC Church, 4620 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square, NJ, followed by an interment in St. Catharine’s Cemetery in Sea Girt, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Mary Ann’s memory to the Madonna House Inc, 1401 7th Ave, Neptune, NJ 07753 (www.themadonnahouse.com) or EWTN Eternal Word Television Network, 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL 35210  (www.ewtn.com)