Obituary of Marie M. Fornaro

Marie M. Fornaro passed away on February 5, 2021.  She was 73 years young and left her beloved family, friends and community too soon.

Marie was born In Brooklyn, N.Y., the oldest of three sisters.  She was an excellent student and took pride in her education, being the first of her immediate family to obtain a college degree.  She married her husband of 52 years in 1968 and moved to Madison, New Jersey settling in Morristown soon thereafter.  In Morristown, Marie raised five children while simultaneously volunteering and serving in leadership positions within the Home and School Association of the Morris School District, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in teaching from St. Elizabeth’s College in Convent Station and serving for numerous years on the Morris School District Board of Education.  Marie also supported her childrens extra-curricular and sports activities.  She was as an active member of the Morristown Booster Club showing her pride for her sons and daughters who played high school sports.

For over 30 years, Marie was also a committed volunteer with the Morris Area League of Women Voters.  She held various leadership positions, including President and Voter Service Chair.  Marie inspired many with her passion for her family, public education and women’s rights. She was strong advocate of New Jersey’s public education system.  Two of her daughters are teachers and the third sits on her local board of education.

Once her children were grown, Marie continued to devote her time, wisdom, and support to her 12 grandchildren.  She loved a full house; organizing family and holiday celebrations multiple times a month and family beach vacations every year so she could have as many of her family members together under one roof.  Marie was also never more than a phone call away from her two sisters, whom she regarded as her best friends. Marie was the heart and soul of her family and will be missed immensely.

Marie is survived by her husband Carmine C. Fornaro, her five children and spouses Rita Barone, Neil Barone, Marie Langsdorf, Erik Langsdorf, Patricia Fornaro, Philip Fornaro, Karen Fornaro, Carmine Fornaro, Jr. and Kimberly Fornaro, she is also survived by her two sisters: Rose Mosera and Barbara Mosera and her 12 grandchildren:  Rhiannon, Christopher, Cailene, Morgan, Grayson, Nicolette, Everly, Lila, Caroline, Carmine, Tristan and Lorelai. 

A Memorial Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 10:00AM at St. Vincent Martyr Church, 26 Green Village Road, Madison. For those that wish, you may attend the Funeral Liturgy virtually via live-stream by visiting  www.svmnj.org at 10:00AM on Saturday. Interment will be held privately for the family. Funeral arrangements are under the care of the Madison Memorial Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the League of Women Voters of New Jersey, in honor of her deep involvement in fighting for better policies, particularly for women and children, or to the League of Women Voters of New Jersey Education Fund, in honor of her many years of service to candidate debates and voter registration drives. People can send checks to the LWVNJ or LWVNJ-EF to 204 West State Street, Trenton, NJ  08608 and include a note that it is in memory of Marie Fornaro or they can donate online at https://www.lwvnj.org/home/donate and check the memorial option.

In addition, recognizing that heart attacks are the number one killer of women and the American Heart Association’s drive this month, in lieu of flowers donations can also be made as a tribute to Marie Fornaro at www.goredforwomen.org