Mary Elizabeth Croce, 88 died Thursday April 9, 2020 at Brandywine Living at Pennington. Born and raised in Plymouth, Pa., Mary lived on Jacobs Creek Road in Ewing NJ for most of her life. She resided at the Manor at Yorktown in Jamison Pa. from 2015-2018 and then moved back to Pennington NJ.  She was well known by the nick-names “Jaike” or “Jackie” by many of her friends and colleagues. Mary received her Bachelor’s Degree from Wilkes College and proceeded to work with children for over thirty five years as an elementary school teacher within the Lawrence Township Public Schools.  She first taught at Ben Franklin Elementary School and then as a 5 th grade teacher at Lawrence Intermediate School. In retirement Mary became an avid golfer, world traveler and a wonderful cook who made the best pies imaginable.  She devoted a great deal of time caring for her family and helping to raise grandchildren.  She was a patron of the arts, a lover of the symphony, musical theatre and the opera.  In particular, she was a Pavarotti devotee. Mary was a meticulous artist, producing works in pencil, ink and calligraphy as gifts for special occasions.  Mary possessed a vibrant yet gentle demeanor and found joy in things like poetry, flowers, songbirds, intimate gatherings or curling up at home with a good book. Daughter of the late Stephen and Josephine Zavatasky of Plymouth Pa., and widow ofLouis A. Croce of Ewing NJ/Hazelton Pa., she is survived by her son Stephen L. Croce and his wife Susan, three grandchildren, Alexandra, Jake and Erin who reside in Lambertville, NJ and her two beloved sisters Victoria Vallerella and Joanne Englehardt both of whom reside in Long Island, NY. A memorial service and life celebration will be held at a future date. Funeral arrangements handled by Garefino Funeral Home, Lambertville. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Music Mountain Theatre in Lambertville, NJ.  https://www.musicmountaintheatre.org/donate
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