Mary Anne Allender, 88, of West Milford, passed away at her home on Friday, Sept. 6.
Born on March 20, 1931 in Batavia, New York, to the late John and Mary (Lis) Czapeczka.
She was a graduate of Rochester Business Institute and John Robert Powers Modeling Agency.
Prior to her marriage, she worked at Saks 5th Avenue and 20th Century Fox in NYC.
She taught ballroom dancing and studied opera with the famed Impresario Alfredo Salmaggi.
Mary Anne met her future husband Robert at the opera studio, and after a whirlwind courtship, they married and raised their family in West Milford.
Following the death of her husband, she went to work for the Women’s International Zionist Organization (WIZO) in NYC until her retirement in 1992.
In retirement, she enjoyed traveling to Europe and South America as well as attending many operas, ballets, and symphony performances.
An accomplished pianist, as well as soprano, she was a member of the Musicians Union Local 802.
Mary Anne was predeceased by her beloved husband Robert in 1989; her loving parents, John in 1958, and Mary in 1966; her brothers Joseph in 1989, Peter in 1996, and Rudolph, her twin in 1987; and her sisters Genevieve in 2007, Lee in 2012, and Charlotte in 2016.
She is survived by her devoted daughter Susan, her cherished son Robert; her dear grandson Rob and his wife Kristin; her dear granddaughter Felicia; her two loving great grandchildren; her dear brother George; and her cherished childhood best friend Shirley Denning.
The family will receive visitors on Thursday, Sept. 12, from 1-3 p.m., and 6-8 p.m. at the Stickle-Soltesz Funeral Home, 187 La Rue Road in Newfoundland.
A funeral mass will take place on Friday, Sept. 13, at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle RC Church, 5635 Berkshire Valley Road in Oak Ridge.
A mausoleum entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover.
Memorial donations may be made to St. John Vianney RC Church, 2823 Route 23 South, Stockholm, NJ 07460.
Log onto www.sticklesolteszfuneralhome.com tribute wall to personally post your condolences, memories, photos, and videos, as well as obtaining driving directions to the funeral home.