Dr. Mary Mazzarella, respect life director of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey for many years, died on Dec. 18 after a brief illness. She also practiced pediatrics for many years, conducted clinical research, and taught parish religious education.
As respect life director, Mazzarella took seriously her diocesan responsibility to demonstrate that all life is sacred from natural conception to natural death. She provided education and pastoral outreach regarding Respect Life issues including post abortion healing, euthanasia, capital punishment, and use of adult stem cells. Her duties also included giving talks to physicians and high school and college students and helping to launch in the diocese “Walking with Moms in Need,” a nation-wide, parish-based initiative by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
“We pray for Dr. Mary and thank God for the joy and love she brought as an advocate for life and as a healer,” Msgr. Mark Condon, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the Curia and pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Angels Parish in Little Falls, N.J., wrote in an email announcing Mazzarella’s death to diocesan staff on Dec. 19.
Mazzarella also served as the medical consultant for the cause for the beatification and canonization of Blessed Miriam Teresa Demjanovich, a former Sister of Charity of St. Elizabeth in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J., in the diocese. Her research and writing to the Vatican in support of a discovered medical cure through Blessed Miriam Teresa’s intercession helped make possible her beatification in 2014.
Also, Mazzarella served as a consultant for the sainthood cause of Benedictine Brother Marinus LaRue, a former captain of a U.S. Merchant Marine cargo freighter, whose heroic efforts saved thousands of Korean refugees during the Korean War. Later, he pursued a quieter life as a Benedictine monk at St. Paul’s Abbey in Newton, N.J., in the diocese.
Mazzarella grew up in Newark, N.J., one of six children of Italian parents. She graduated from the College of St. Elizabeth (now St. Elizabeth University), in Morris Township, N.J., and received her medical degree from the University Di Roma Sapienza, Fac Di Medicine E Chirurgria, Rome in 1960. She completed a residency in pediatrics at Newark City Hospital and Babies Hospital of Newark.
From 1965 to 1972, Mazzarella conducted clinical research at Schering Plough. She practiced pediatrics in Nutley for 25 years and served as the physician for Belleville Public Schools for 15 years. From 1970 to 71, Mazzarella was president of the N.J. Medical Women’s Association.
Mazzarella was named as the diocesan respect life director in 2007 and had retired by 2025. Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth presented her with their Caritas Award in 2014.
Since 1992, Mazzarella had been a Seton Associate. She volunteered at St. Anne Villa of the Sisters of Charity, where she served as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion.
Mazzarella was an active parishioner of St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Clifton, N.J. She served as catechist for fifth to eighth grade students for 23 years. She is also a former member of the Board of the Clifton Boys & Girls Club.
Mazzarella was married to late Dr. Joseph DeMayo, a primary care physician with a practice in Nutley. They are survived by a daughter and son, Dawn and Richard, and their grandchildren Amanda, Melania, Natalia, and Luciano.
Obituary: Mary Mazzarella, former diocesan respect life director #Catholic –
Dr. Mary Mazzarella, respect life director of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey for many years, died on Dec. 18 after a brief illness. She also practiced pediatrics for many years, conducted clinical research, and taught parish religious education.
As respect life director, Mazzarella took seriously her diocesan responsibility to demonstrate that all life is sacred from natural conception to natural death. She provided education and pastoral outreach regarding Respect Life issues including post abortion healing, euthanasia, capital punishment, and use of adult stem cells. Her duties also included giving talks to physicians and high school and college students and helping to launch in the diocese “Walking with Moms in Need,” a nation-wide, parish-based initiative by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
“We pray for Dr. Mary and thank God for the joy and love she brought as an advocate for life and as a healer,” Msgr. Mark Condon, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the Curia and pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Angels Parish in Little Falls, N.J., wrote in an email announcing Mazzarella’s death to diocesan staff on Dec. 19.
Mazzarella also served as the medical consultant for the cause for the beatification and canonization of Blessed Miriam Teresa Demjanovich, a former Sister of Charity of St. Elizabeth in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J., in the diocese. Her research and writing to the Vatican in support of a discovered medical cure through Blessed Miriam Teresa’s intercession helped make possible her beatification in 2014.
Also, Mazzarella served as a consultant for the sainthood cause of Benedictine Brother Marinus LaRue, a former captain of a U.S. Merchant Marine cargo freighter, whose heroic efforts saved thousands of Korean refugees during the Korean War. Later, he pursued a quieter life as a Benedictine monk at St. Paul’s Abbey in Newton, N.J., in the diocese.
Mazzarella grew up in Newark, N.J., one of six children of Italian parents. She graduated from the College of St. Elizabeth (now St. Elizabeth University), in Morris Township, N.J., and received her medical degree from the University Di Roma Sapienza, Fac Di Medicine E Chirurgria, Rome in 1960. She completed a residency in pediatrics at Newark City Hospital and Babies Hospital of Newark.
From 1965 to 1972, Mazzarella conducted clinical research at Schering Plough. She practiced pediatrics in Nutley for 25 years and served as the physician for Belleville Public Schools for 15 years. From 1970 to 71, Mazzarella was president of the N.J. Medical Women’s Association.
Mazzarella was named as the diocesan respect life director in 2007 and had retired by 2025. Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth presented her with their Caritas Award in 2014.
Since 1992, Mazzarella had been a Seton Associate. She volunteered at St. Anne Villa of the Sisters of Charity, where she served as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion.
Mazzarella was an active parishioner of St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Clifton, N.J. She served as catechist for fifth to eighth grade students for 23 years. She is also a former member of the Board of the Clifton Boys & Girls Club.
Mazzarella was married to late Dr. Joseph DeMayo, a primary care physician with a practice in Nutley. They are survived by a daughter and son, Dawn and Richard, and their grandchildren Amanda, Melania, Natalia, and Luciano.