On Monday June 20th at the age of 99, life-long resident of Raritan, New Jersey, Mrs. Marguerite Corona (nee, Esposito) died peacefully while surrounded by loved ones in the home where she lived for nearly her entire life. She was a graduate of Somerville High School. Known commonly as Marge—but alternately as the General, the Boss, the Principal, and Mother Superior—she was a fierce advocate (and a foundational bulwark) for the communities she loved and lived within, including and especially her large circle of friends and family, the town of Raritan and the Raritan Senior Citizens (of which she was a founding member), and St. Ann's Catholic Church. Marge never wasted a to-go packet of salad dressing, and neither did she waste a moment of her 99 years. She was a world traveler. Traveling with her husband of 39 years, the late Frederick "Fritz" Corona, with her church, and on her own, she visited five of the seven continents. A member of the St. Ann's book club, she was an avid reader driven by a broad interest that ranged from political and historical biography to romance. She was a passionate gambler, who knew instinctively what everyone at the blackjack table should do differently and who took more money out of slot machines than you might have thought could be reasonably expected (though rumor has it she may have put some of that back). She was a loyal friend, a doting grandmother, an upright engaged citizen, and a champion of the notion that the bonds of family are of paramount importance; they cement responsibilities, remove filters, and weave the fabric upon which the broader communities of life can be built. In her professional life, Marge and Fritz operated Marilyn's Sweet Shop on Thompson Street in Raritan selling newspapers, candy, and ice cream for 10 years. Marge also worked as a telegraph operator for Johns-Manville, and as an assistant to the Bridgewater Tax Collector before beginning a 42 year career with Somerset Savings Bank in May of 1945. Originally hired as a clerk, Marge worked her way up to Head Teller, then to Assistant Treasurer, retiring finally in June of 1987 as a Vice President and Manager of the Raritan branch. This is an impressive enough resume, particularly for a woman of her generation, but for Marge it was only the tip of the iceberg. Next to her family, the thing in life that gave Marge her greatest sense of satisfaction and for which she felt her greatest pride of accomplishment was her work in sustaining the social, charitable, and administrative machinery of St. Ann's Church and School. She had a founding influence upon and took an early leadership role in many of the more lasting and effective groups and institutions operating beneath the St. Ann's umbrella. These included, but were not limited to: organizing and serving as president of the first Mother's Club that would become the St. Ann's School P. T. A., founding and presiding over the St. Theresa Club (later, Society of the Little Flower), serving on the Finance Committee for the parish, establishing and serving as president of St. Ann's Golden Age Club, serving in the Social Concern Ministry, acting as Chair-person of St. Ann's Lunch Bunch for Seniors and middle school students, and presiding over the Altar Rosary Society. Additionally, Marge and Fritz started St. Ann's BINGO, for which they both worked diligently until his death in 1982. From its beginnings as a festival of St. Rocco and up until just last year, Marge was integral in the operating of St. Ann's annual Festa. She also planned and led many bus trips, pilgrimages, and international excursions for St. Ann's parishioners, most frequently bridging the gap between St. Ann's and some of the more secular institutions along the boardwalk in Atlantic City. She faithfully counted and secured Sunday collections over a period of several decades (stopping only this spring), cleaned the church on Fridays for a time, and also occasionally cooked for the rectory. In 2003, with Deacon John Pacifico, she co-chaired the committee to celebrate St. Ann's 100th Anniversary. For her dedication and impact, she was twice honored by the Diocese of Metuchen. She was appointed by the bishop as a representative on the Diocesan Pastoral Council for a two-year term and in 1992 was awarded the Salve Regina Nostra Medal for parish service. However, the relationships Marge cultivated in her work were more precious to her than any laurels. It warmed her to function as partner and mentor to the parishioners and clergy with whom she worked, and to connect with her Lunch Bunch students, whom she spoke of as though they were her own children. Ultimately, her lifetime of experience in the church proved an invaluable resource to St Ann's current Pastor, and Marge's beloved nephew, Monsignor Michael Corona, whom she aggressively advised on all things St. Ann's. In addition to the Monsignor, Marge is survived by her loving son Frederick Corona and his wife Sue of Mendham, her loving daughter Marilyn Forte of Randolph (whose husband Robert Forte pre-deceased Marge last year), three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren who loved their "Nonee" more than words can describe. They are: Michael Forte with his wife Lisa, Joseph Forte with his wife Heather and their son Ulee, and Robin Ortale with her husband Mike Ortale and their sons Brooks, Bennett, and Luke. She also leaves behind a cherished crowd of nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as a large and diverse family of friends, many of whom, regardless of blood relation knew her affectionately as "Aunt Marge." Her passing leaves a hole that will not be easily filled in the lives of all who knew and loved her. Conversely, with a near century of life in her rear-view mirror, she lived long enough to see too many of those she loved precede her into death, including all of those with whom she came of age and shared a perspective unique to her generation. In addition to countless dear friends and her husband Fritz Corona, Marge was predeceased by her parents Frank and Rosina Esposito and her beloved brothers and sisters James Esposito, Anthony Esposito, Nicholas Esposito, Patrick Esposito, Lucy Russo, Mamie Carri, and Marie Frinzi. She lost a lot in her life, but she also loved a lot—and it was her choice to allow the latter to carry the day. To borrow a line from the poem she requested to be read at her funeral mass, Marge believed that "nothing loved is ever lost." Over the years, all of that loving and all of that not-losing had produced an inevitable result. Marge Corona, having lived a very full life, now leaves this world with a very full heart. Viewing will be Thursday June 23rd from 3pm until 8pm at Branchburg Funeral Home, 910 Route 202 South in Branchburg, New Jersey. www.branchburgfuneralhome.com A prayer service will be held at 10:15 am at Branchburg Funeral Home on Friday morning June 24th. Following the prayer service, a funeral liturgy will take place at 11am in The Catholic Church of St. Ann, 45 Anderson Street in Raritan, New Jersey. www.stannparish.com Entombment will follow at Somerset Hills Memorial Park, Basking Ridge. www.shmpcemetary.com Marge has asked that any memorial contributions in her honor be made to: The Catholic Church of St. Ann 45 Anderson Street Raritan, NJ 08869