Mary M Maugeri's Obituary
Mary's Services will be live streamed on the following link: https://www.viewlogies.net/givnish/Z-Wr6i7qS?pin=893675
Mary Margaret Maugeri (née Bell), 79, longtime resident of Delran, NJ passed away on May 20, 2026, with her loving daughters by her side.
Born on November 17, 1946 in Huntingdon, PA, Mary was the beloved daughter of the late Robert and Ruth Bell (née Perry). She was the devoted wife of the late James V. Maugeri Jr., with whom she shared a beautiful marriage until his passing in 2024.
Mary was the cherished mother of Alison Maugeri Morrell (Vinny) and Jessica Maugeri, and the proud and doting "Grammy" to Zion, Vinny Jr., and Nico. She is also survived by her dear sisters, Barbara Cooper, Susie Stimpfle, and Sally Dressler (Charles); her sister-in-law, Linda Starner; and many nieces, nephews and cousins who loved her deeply. To so many, Mary was more than family - she was a second mother, a sister, confidante, and a steady source of love and support.
Mary grew up on Fairfield Farms in Petersburg, PA a place she always considered home. The farm, where generations of her family lived together on the same property, remained close to her heart throughout her life. She graduated from Juniata Valley High School in 1964 and then moved to Milwaukee for a short time where she served in VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) , a domestic counterpart to the Peace Corps. She met her future husband, Jim, while working as a secretary at Penn State University as he attended school there. The two were married in the campus chapel in 1972, beginning a partnership rooted in love, laughter, and a lifelong passion for Penn State – especially Nittany Lions football.
Together, Mary and Jim built a wonderful life in Delran, where they raised their family and spent more than 50 years creating enduring family traditions and lasting memories. Mary was a devoted wife, an adoring mother, and a constant, caring presence in the lives of her daughters and grandsons. Her home was always open to family and friends, and she took great joy in hosting holidays, celebrations, and gatherings filled with warmth, generosity, and love. Thoughtful by nature, she delighted in giving to others and often surprised family and friends with gifts, baked goods, and homemade treats simply because she thought of them. Every Christmas, continuing her mother’s tradition and recipe, she made seemingly endless batches of cinnamon rolls — known in the family as “sticky buns” — and hand-delivered them throughout the holiday season.
Mary spent many years working in the real estate and legal fields, careers she approached with dedication and care. After working for Begley & Begley Law Firm in Moorestown, NJ, she went on to work at Burlington County Abstract and later for attorney Valerie Pepe. Along the way, she formed lasting friendships and was known for her kindness, dependability, and warm spirit.
An avid and talented quilter, Mary invested countless hours sewing and creating beautiful handmade pieces for her home and loved ones. Her quilting room overflowed with fabric swatches, quilts, and projects in progress, each one stitched with care and creativity. She loved gathering weekly with friends to sew, laugh, and share stories, and especially enjoyed visiting quilt shops and attending quilting workshops and shows. Quilting was one of her greatest joys and a source of great comfort and satisfaction. Mary also enjoyed gardening and tending to her “porch” plants. Her Christmas cacti were amongst her favorites.
Affectionately known as “Mother Mary” by another close circle of friends, she welcomed every opportunity to gather for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and companionship. Her friendships were among the greatest sources of happiness, and her friends remained faithfully by her side through every season.
Sixteen years ago, Mary displayed remarkable strength and courage when she received the extraordinary gift of a heart transplant, allowing her many additional years with the people she loved most. Her family will remain forever grateful to Jamie Lee Bardo, her donor, and to her family — Jamie, Vicki, and Samantha — for the immeasurable gift they gave to Mary and to all who loved her.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Givnish of Cinnaminson, with her memorial service beginning at 11:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mary’s name may be made to The Gift of Life Donor Program or The Alzheimer’s Association.
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