Obituary of Margaret Maiese

Margaret Maiese, age 99 and was soon to be 100 years of age in less than a month, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2025.  She was a recent resident of Westchester, New York, born in Blackwood, New Jersey, and raised on a farm with her siblings and mother Josephine and father Michael Fioretti, both immigrants from Italy.  At even a very young age, Margaret was recognized as being extremely talented, graduating from Blackwood High School two years ahead of schedule at the age of sixteen and teaching her father the English language so that he could rise to the level of a senior mechanic for the New Jersey rail lines.  She excelled in multiple occupations and was hired as a legal secretary immediately after graduation from High School with having significant expertise in stenography and shorthand, an essential method for dictation and recording at the time prior to the advent of computers.  Margaret would later work to oversee the accounting and bookkeeping operations of a large restaurant in Camden, New Jersey and ultimately worked many years as an administrator for the Office of the Principal at the Pennsauken High School, New Jersey by overseeing student attendance records, curriculum and education programs, school finances, and faculty resources.  In addition to her career, she valued her time as an extremely dedicated wife and mother to provide care and support to her immediate family that included her husband Charles of forty-six years of marriage, and her two sons Charles, Jr (Chick) and Kenneth.  She highly valued the education of her children and would inspire and freely spend time with them throughout their education, to the extent that she would be asked at Parent Teacher Meetings by teachers why she was present since there were no issues to discuss.

Margaret was beautiful in so many ways that extended beyond physical attributes.  She was loved by family as well as friends, and was consistently sought out to maintain long lasting relationships with individuals she met throughout her life.  She also was an expert cook who could produce recipes and results that would rival professional chefs.  She was an accomplished painter so much so that her paintings and drawings were used to set the mark for others to strive in art classes that she participated in during retirement.  Margaret's artistic talents also were evident in multiple avenues such that she loved creating arts and crafts, sewing, and decorating her home for each upcoming holiday throughout the year with special touches that were unique to her talents.  She always enjoyed maintaining and growing her vocabulary and cognitive skills as an enthusiastic reader of books and journals and performing almost daily crossword puzzles.  Margaret independently cared for herself in the later years following the passing of her husband, continued managing the care and finances of her house, was an avid gardener in her backyard, and even regularly drove her car though her later years up to the age of ninety-seven to do weekly tasks, such as grocery shopping that could extend into four hour trips since she would have conversations with multiple customers and store employees on each outing.  She especially treasured having her granddaughter Ava visit throughout the years to play with her, reminisce about growing up on a farm, and enjoy special moments of ice cream outings together.

Margaret is predeceased by her son Charles, Jr (Chick) Maiese, husband Charles Maiese, brothers Emiddio Fioretti and Ned Fioretti and sisters Matilda Orlando and Mary Tice.  She is survived by her younger sister Jeanne Iannelli, her son Kenneth Maiese, MD and his wife Barbara Maiese and daughter Ava Maiese. 

Relatives and friends are invited to the Visitation & Funeral on Saturday January 25, 2025 from 9:00 to 10:30 AM at the Falco, Caruso & Leonard Pennsauken Funeral Home, 6600 Browning Road. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM at St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Parish, 6306 Browning Road in Pennsauken. Interment will follow at New Saint Mary's Cemetery, 515 West Browning Road in Bellmawr.