Mary S Carpene of Metuchen, NJ has gone home, leaving behind a circle of those who loved her.
These pages are a small offering toward a much larger life.
What remains is what was loved.
Mary S. Carpene passed away in her home on May 2, 2026, peacefully, comfortably and surrounded by her family and her caregiver Rose, all of whom loved her immensely. She was 90 years old.
Mary was born in Brooklyn, NY, one of two daughters of John and Lela Sariotis. She graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn in 1954 and attended Hunter College.
She married Fredrick E. Carpene on a sunny, 61 degree day in February, 1961. After living in Elmhurst, Queens, she and Fred moved to New Jersey in December, 1964 and she would call New Jersey home for the rest of her life.
Mary worked part-time primarily as a teacher's/day care aide during much of her married life but her passion was clearly her family. She and her husband Fred enjoyed nothing more than having their children and their spouses, and their grandchildren together for boisterous meals filled with great food, drink, and raucous laughter. She and Fred would often host these gatherings at the home where they raised their family and lived for the past 50 years, but would travel to their children's homes or wherever necessary to make sure a week did not go by without some type of family event.
In addition to her role as the undisputed matriarch of the Carpene family, she was warm, thoughtful and generous to anyone who was lucky enough to know her. She had a gift for style and fashion that was reflected in the way she carried herself and an understated elegance and beauty that lasted her entire life.
Mary was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Fred, and her sister, Pauline Jarem. And while words cannot adequately express how much she will be missed, the traditions that she fostered – including the infamous, and often out-of-control, Easter egg cracking game –will be carried on by her son Gregg and his wife Missy, her daughter Dara and her husband Jason, and her three grandchildren, Ethan, Zoe and Serina, each of whom were blessed to have had their "Grannie"/"Yiayia" play a huge and impactful role in their lives.
Friends may call on Thursday, May 7, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Flynn and Son Funeral Home, 319 Amboy Ave, Metuchen, NJ 08820. Funeral services will be the next morning at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Westfield, NJ followed by the burial at the Fairview Cemetery. The funeral and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation in Mary's name to a charity of your choice.
