Louise Grena

August 22, 1933 - April 2, 2022

“ Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, Silence the pianos and with muffled drum, Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come…” W. H. Auden A remarkably rare event has taken place, someone has finally beaten Louise Grena at a game. She threw Yahtzee, she trumped their ace, she dropped a seven letter, triple word score word, all to no avail. Ultimately, she was forced to concede to the game of life on this earth. It would be impossible to look back on my mother’s life and her accomplishments and not be duly impressed. The daughter of George, who she told me referred to her as his Gina Lollobidgida, was her first and lasting hero. A brilliant, first generation Italian, man who built his fortune founding an enormously successful junk yard and scrap metal business. Her love of course extended to her mother, Mary, who tragically died at the very young age of 59. Our mother fortunately was blessed to have her loving family as well as her equally loving 4 sisters and brother. My mother told me stories of working in our Papa’s junkyard in any capacity he asked of her. She painted logos on his trucks, did his paperwork and even learned to drive a stick shift using his dump trucks. There were no glass ceilings in a junk yard nor would she let anyone put one above her on her journey through life. She was not destined to be a stereotypic 1950’s housewife! Upon high school graduation, she went to the top nursing program in the area, the prestigious Jersey City Medical Center. She received her RN and in short order, was made head nurse of her unit. One day, during rounds she happened upon a handsome, strapping young man, who was attending St Peter’s prep in Jersey City. He had developed mononucleosis requiring admission. Dad would say she took advantage of him in his weakened state! She was instantly smitten. She spoke of many a young doctor who vied for her affection who just weren’t the right fit for her. But true “love at first sight” eventually landed her husband, Joseph Michael Edward Grena. 59 years of love and companionship later, she had clearly made the best choice. Our mother always wanted a large family. She suffered through 3 miscarriages, two of which were still births. Our parents NEVER spoke of this. We only found at later in life as adults. One of our sisters is buried in this cemetery, in her grandmother’s arms. I can’t fathom the joy my mother is having being with her other children now. As you know, Mom went on to have 3 healthy children, followed by 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly. She held all of our spouses as deep in her heart as if they were her own. I just loved this about her. Louise’s primary objective in life was to acquire and share her knowledge, experiences and culture with every and anyone. She loved a sports event, the opera, a lecture, the theater as much as a roller coaster ride. She would often travel in a car packed full of kids, pulling a camper, and just go. She brought us to Chicago as easily as the Black Hills of South Dakota. She traveled through all the continental United States and Canada. Later our parents would expand to Mexico, The Caribbean, Columbia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and other, must see places. She planned this all without a computer or travel agent. She researched where you not only should go, but must go, in every location be it the tides of the Bay of Fundy, the Painted desert, the Getty museum or alligator tours in the swamps of Louisiana. Our father, bless his patience, went along with it all. Whether he was kissing the Blarney stone, being baptized Jerusalem or riding a donkey down the Grand Canyon, he smiled and went along with it. Since she was probably driving, his choices were limited! Mom pulled a camper atop the Rocky Mountains of Colorado as easily as she drove the Parkway. There wasn’t a beach on earth from the Dead Sea to Wildwood that she didn’t go in. A lifelong leader, she was the trip coordinator for her beloved Cousin’s club, the President of the PTA, the President of the Babe Ruth baseball league women’s auxiliary, a member of the Knights of Columbus as well as later in life, the University Women of West Essex. She still made it home to cook dinner, head to her beloved Helen’s for games and finally home often past 11pm to finish a crossword puzzle and go to bed. She went back to college for another degree. No, not just nursing, that was already mastered, but liberal arts including music, literature and art history. I would play at the MOMA, Guggenheim or Frick while she stared at a Rembrandt. Our mother drove into NYC as comfortably as if she was going to the Shoprite. She once parked her station wagon on the side of the NJ Turnpike in 1976, so that we could all get a better view of the bicentennial tall ships. A well-intentioned police officer stopped to ask if she needed help. She said no but “please look up and see the wonderous ships which you may never see again “. 100s of other cars parked behind her. He smiled, thanked her and walked away. One day a life changing call came from her CPA /Attorney brother George, who she absolutely adored. “Louise, can you help me out at my new job at J H Cohn accounting firm?” Her next career ensued and lasted for the next 36 years. She went to the Bloomfield night school to learn the trade. Once mastered, she would go on to run the tax department. She taught the software being used in seminars at all of their offices. She was so proud to be their first, and only at the time, female Tax manager. Louise, being Louise, had only 1 request… “I want my summers off “. She was hard to say no to plus she was the only one they trusted to do the company’s actual tax return. She would continue to take any loved one who wanted to travel with her including nieces, nephews, grandchildren, our friends, whoever could come. She would teach them how to hitch up and set up a camper, start a fire, cook on a Coleman stove, whatever they could do. Our mother’s actual “Auntie Mame” approach to living is something I continue to strive for and I hope that all of you can take away from being in her presence. Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death! To conclude, as I envision it, her loved ones are gathered in heaven. Uncle George is finding a great restaurant to take everyone to. Aunt Angie is perking coffee and cooking something delicious. Aunt Nellie is busy planning an amazing cruise for all of them. But it is Aunt Florence who has the biggest smile. She has been waiting the longest to see her “Lulu”. She is seated at the card table, the Scrabble board already set up, tiles are picked. She has a word ready that most would need a dictionary for, but not Louise. But as well all know, the very first greeting will come from our father. He will be standing in a spectacular ballroom, hair perfectly groomed, an impeccably tailored suit with a matching shirt and tie on. He will be standing in the starting position of their dance, arms out, waiting to take his bride back into his arms as the music starts. This we Pray, The Grena’s Louise Grena, (nee Delmarmo), passed away peacefully on April 2, 2022 at her residence in Mount Laurel. Loving wife to the late Joseph Michael Edward Grena for 59 years. Dear mother to Patricia Grena- Mahon (Gary), Joseph Michael Edward Grena II, Dr. Paul Grena (Neil Clancy), Grandmother to Joseph, Kaytee, Jeremy, Ashley, Courtney, Lindsey, Kristy, and Garrett. Great grandmother to Charlee, Cylee, Cooper, Caden, Carson, Kolby, Emmett, Michael Joseph, Amelia, and Isabella. Sister to Victoria Aufeiro. She was predeceased by her siblings; Florence Delmarmo, Nellie Mauriello, Angelina DiBello, George Delmarmo. Daughter to the late George and Mary Delmarmo. A gathering of friends and family will be held on Wednesday, April 6th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at Givnish of Cinnaminson, 1200 Route 130 North. Entombment and committal service will follow the next day at 1:00pm at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, NJ. Repass to follow.