The Hammonton Gazette
Obituary

Mary Anne DeStefano (nee Straus), 66, of Hammonton, NJ peacefully passed away Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at home with her loving family and friends by her side. Mary Anne was born in Philadelphia, Pa. and was a lifelong area resident who graduated from Hammonton High School in 1976. She worked for Jamesway Department Store in Hammonton, where she met her husband, and Lenox China in Pomona until the birth of her first child. Mary Anne valued her family above all else, was always the first to arrive and never missed a family event and was the glue that connected her extended family. She left work to devote herself to raising her three boys, later spending as much time as she could with her beloved grandchildren, including many sleepovers filled with their favorite snacks. She loved having family and friends at the house, playing card games around the kitchen table and sipping tea. She was a motherly figure to her many nieces and nephews as well as many of her children’s friends. Mary Anne took pride in maintaining relationships with those who came into her life and was always very proud of her family’s achievements and successes.
She is predeceased by her parents, Henry and Mary Anne Straus (nee Hannan); brothers, Harry Straus and Michael James Straus (Jeff); and brother-in-law, Howard Macri. Mary Anne is survived by her loving husband of 44 years, Charles; and her sons, Pasquale C. “Pat” DeStefano, III (Kelly), Dante DeStefano (Kristin), and Matthew DeStefano (Kim); her brother, John Straus; and sisters, Theresa “Terri” Macri, Trudy Straus (Doug), Susan Petrucelli (Jim), Judy Friedley (Dave); and her brother-in-law. David DeStefano. She is the loving grandmother of Kayla Cabanero, Emma DeStefano, Collin DeStefano, Hannah DeStefano, and Maxwell DeStefano.
Relatives and friends attended her visitation on July 8, with a Celebration of Life Service following all at the Marinella Funeral Home 102 N. Third St. Hammonton, NJ 08037. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary Anne’s memory to Hammonton Cancer Foundation P.O. Box 1066 Hammonton, NJ 08037. https://hammonton-cancer-foundation.snwbll.com/giving-portal To share a condolence, please visit marinellafuneralhome.com.
Arrangements entrusted to Marinella Funeral Home.