Marie S. Wood


Date of birth: 10/21/1919
Date of death: 03/14/2014
Visitation Hours: 2-4 pm Saturday at Fiore Funeral Home, 236 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst
Service Time:
Cemetery:
Funeral Home: Oakhurst
Marie Susan Cifrodelli Mercadante Wood

Born October 21, 1919

Marie was born in Newark, NJ. She was one of eight children born to Asunta (Susan) Buccino and John Cifrodelli. Marie married Roger Mercadante in April of 1942, and together they raised two daughters, Angela Mercadante Sica and Susan Mercadante Ferrante-Clayton. Marie and Roger were owners in partnership with family for the Ditta Ferrara Pastry Shop in Newark, NJ and the Smart Set women's fashion shop until the 1970's. Marie was an avid sewer and handcraft artist, creating hundreds of designs of handmade apparel, items for the home, and beautiful crocheted articles. In addition to these talents, Marie was also an inspired painter, working with oils, acrylics, and pastel pencils as her media of choice.


Years after Roger's death in 1969, Marie married David Wood from Clifton, NJ and the couple retired to Paisley, Florida. While there, Marie attended college courses and continued her art studies, particularly painting landscapes and floral arrangements in acrylics. Several of her pieces were inspired by the beautiful view from the deck of her home, overlooking the chain of lakes that outlined the landscape of where she and David designed and custom built their home. While living in Paisley, Marie's art- work was exhibited in libraries in Lake County, Fl and was appreciated by the many people who visited those galleries. Marie also enjoyed several years working at a Head Start program outside of Paisley, frequently relating how much she loved being around young children. While not working, Marie and David enjoyed traveling in their motor home. They joined a travel caravan club and drove with their friends from Florida to Mexico, throughout the USA, to the West Coast, and as far north as Alaska. Marie loved her travel experiences and used much of that inspiration in how she lived her life appreciating the natural beauty of God's graces all around her. She loved sharing her gifts with others, and it was very much reflected in how she lived her life.

Although Marie did not align herself formally with a particular church, she followed a Christian religious life. As a young person, Marie followed Roman Catholic traditions in the way that her mother had. Later in life, she felt very much at home in worshipping at the Paisley Methodist Church in Florida, particularly enjoying the community of bible study and fellowship with fellow church members. While in NJ, Marie enjoyed attending services at the Presbyterian Church on the Hill in Ocean Township where her daughter Susan was an Elder and where her grandchildren participated in the youth choir and Sunday School classes. As she grew older, Marie had difficulty in attending formal services, however she was always grateful for visits from PCOH elders and church leaders, and from her close friendship with her Florida neighbor Father Mark Ricker, an Episcopal priest whom she fondly considered her “adopted” son, and whom she shared a special love and bond with while living in Paisley.

Marie has 5 grandchildren: Anthony Sica of Brick Township, NJ; Christian Ferrante of Colchester, Ct; Samantha Ferrante-Ferkler of Ridley Park, PA; Roger Sica of Wilmington, NC; and Nicole Sica of Ocean Township, NJ. Marie also has 7 great-children residing in NJ, PA, Ct., and NC.


All who knew Marie would agree that she was an incredible person who looked at life's obstacles and faced them with intelligence, generosity, strength, and a determination to meet the challenge with love and dignity. She loved the beauty of life, she loved all that God had presented before her, and she sang to the music, danced to the beat, and shared herself with all whom she knew. Best friend, best teacher and counselor, and most of all – best Mother, ever.