Grace E. Parlapiano

Grace Huff Parlapiano passed away on Friday November 27, 2015 at her residence at Brighton Gardens in West Orange.

Born August 22, 1930 in her family's home on Court Street in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Grace was the youngest daughter of John Huff and Emma Harris Huff. She grew up in Elizabeth, graduating from Battin High School in 1948. She worked briefly for Kraft Foods on Worth Street in New York City before meeting her future husband, Vincent Parlapiano, while both were performing as members of the ESSO Choristers. They married in 1954 and eventually settled in Roselle Park, where she lived until 2010. Battling dementia for more than six years, she always enjoyed having company, called those whose names she couldn't remember "Darlin", and, up until the end, loved to laugh. Known as Mama Grace to the staff at Brighton Gardens in West Orange where she was lovingly cared for, she passed from this life on Friday, November 27, with family by her side.

Grace was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Elmora Presbyterian Church, and St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church in Elizabeth where she served on the Board of Deacons. She was a member of the Rahway Historical Society where she made many friends while helping care for the Merchants & Drovers and Terrill Taverns. She was devoted to her family and her love and support were unwavering. Grace loved to sing, loved to work in her garden, and loved the company of family and close friends.

Grace was predeceased by her husband Vincent in 2005, her parents, and sisters Madeline (in infancy) and Emma. She is survived by a brother, John, of Crystal Lake, Illinois, and her four sons: John (Nancy) of Verona; Michael (Agnieszka) of South Orange, Thomas (Judy) of Hamden, CT; and James (Kathy) of Cranford. She had eight grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arrangements by Gray Memorial Funeral Home, Cranford. Go to grayfuneralhomes.com for on line condolences.