Marilyn A "Lynn" D'Alessandro Obituary (1929 - 2023)

Marilyn "Lynn" D'Alessandro: A Family-Centered Life Marilyn "Lynn" D'Alessandro of Essex Fells passed away peacefully, with her family at her side, on Monday, March 27, 2023, at Morristown Medical Center. She was 93 years young. Lynn's parents were Edwin and June Apfelbaum, and she grew up in Caldwell, New Jersey. Lynn attended Grover Cleveland High School (Class of '47). Unfortunately, during her senior year, her father's rubber company's manufacturing plant burned down, jeopardizing her chances of attending college. She worked diligently as a retail salesperson for Hahnes & Co. and pursued side modeling jobs to scrape together the funds to ultimately attend Hood College. She met her husband of 44 years, Frank D'Alessandro, on a blind double date. Serendipitously, she and her girlfriend switched "dates" halfway through the evening, realizing they were better suited to each other's date. Lynn and Frank ended up together that evening and married two years later after Frank returned from the Korean War in 1952. The classic saying "behind every great man is an even greater woman" was particularly pertinent to Frank and Lynn's relationship. With Frank owning his own business, Welco Gases Corp. in Newark, he often attested that Lynn was an important asset behind the scenes during those years of building the business. While Frank had an innate business sense, Lynn provided valuable counsel to him and was confident her impeccably dressed CEO would make a professional impression. They lived in Colonia, Caldwell, and ultimately settled in Essex Fells, where they raised their four children: Cyndy McDonough, Donald D'Alessandro, Cheryl McMullen, and Robert D'Alessandro. Without question, Lynn's passion was her family. She loved all of her children and grandchildren and wanted to know every detail going on in their lives, from school to athletic and musical activities to career developments. She extended that boundless love and attention to her sons- and daughters-in-law as well. She was the matriarch of the family and regularly hosted many family members at her beloved Bay Head home during the summer months. Lynn remained extremely sharp well into her 90s, keeping up with the times by connecting with family and friends via texting, Facebook, and Instagram. She was an excellent online shopper and walked three miles daily on her treadmill. She will be dearly missed by her entire family, who loved her as much as she loved them. Lynn was preceded in death by her husband Frank and brother Eddie Apfelbaum and is survived by her sister Audrey Fusco. She is also survived by her children and their spouses: Cyndy and Kevin McDonough, Donald and Sally D'Alessandro, Cheryl and Peter McMullen, and Robert and Carol D'Alessandro. Additionally, she is survived by her 11 grandchildren: Kevin Jr. (Lauren), Laura (Christopher), Bill (Natalie), Tommy (Brooke), Clint (Taylor), Elise (Matthew), David (Samantha), Peter, Amanda, Robert, and Daniel, as well as nine great-grandchildren: Grady, Brooklynn, Kevin III, Ryan, Joey, Woods, Audrey, Brady, and Reid. The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Rosa Pena and Helena Queiroz, who loved her and cared for her like their own mother for so many years. Visitors will be welcomed on Wednesday, March 29th, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at the Paul Ippolito-Dancy Memorial, 9 Smull Avenue, Caldwell, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Thursday, March 30th, at 9:00 am at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, 219 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ. Entombment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 225 Ridgedale Avenue, East Hanover, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Essex Fells Foundation for Educational Excellence, P.O. Box 174, Essex Fells, NJ, 07021. Please make a note in the memo line that your gift is in memory of Marilyn D'Alessandro. Online gifts can be accepted securely through www.effee.org. Gifts are tax-deductible.