Obituary of Mary E. Grasso

Raritan:

Mary E. Grasso (Viola), 92, died peacefully on Wednesday December 19, 2018 at the Bridgeway Care Center in Bridgewater NJ. She was born on September 1, 1926 in Somerville NJ to her dear parents Catherine (Harwanko) and Frank Viola. Mary spent 70 plus years of her life living and working in Raritan Borough NJ. During the later years of her life she resided in Bridgewater NJ. She lived for five years at the Avalon Assisted Living. She graduated from the Franklin Beauty School in Elizabeth NJ and was licensed as a hairdresser for over 60 years. Mary was the owner and professional hairdresser at Grasso’s Beauty Salon on Quick Avenue Raritan NJ for many years. Later in her life Mary ran the beauty salon at Centerbridge Senior Housing in Bridgewater NJ. She loved what she did and after retiring at the age of 80 she continued to cut and style hair for her friends and family. Mary was hard working, ambitious and never quit anything she started. She loved to dance and was part of the Bridgewater Seniors Dance Group. She loved to travel and enjoyed her trips all over the United States and Europe. She especially enjoyed traveling with family to such places as Disney World and the state of Arizona. Mary was a communicant of St. Ann Church and a member of the  Altar Rosary Society. She was known to have a keen sense of humor and brought laughter to those who knew her. Mary was a kind, caring and generous person who enjoyed doing things for people she knew and loved. Not many can claim what Mary can in that she had only one telephone number during her entire life. Mary loved her family and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and a loyal friend to many.

Mary is survived by her loving children, Kathleen Grasso of Stewartsville NJ and Lena (Michael) Beale of Scottsdale Arizona. She will be sadly missed by the joys of her life, her grandchildren, Stephanie Beale Hanhan M.D. and husband Ziad Hanhan M.D. of Holmdel NJ, Jared Beale of Annandale NJ and her great-grandchildren Sofia, Nicholas, Michael and Edward “Teddy”.

Mary was predeceased by her parents and her husband Isadore “Izzy” Grasso (November 27, 1974).

Viewing will be on Friday, December 21, 2018 between 3:00 pm and 7:00pm at the Bongiovi Funeral Home 416 Bell Avenue Raritan NJ (908)725-1887.