Mary E. Saul

Mary Saul (nee Carpenter), age 96, died peacefully at home on Sunday February 27, 2022. Mary was born in Hackensack, NJ and raised in Westwood and Hillsdale. Mary was the oldest of 5 children born to Michael Carpenter and Mary (nee Barnes). Mary married the love of her life Frank “Pep” Saul in 1947. After living in Rochester NY, Minneapolis, MN and Milwaukee WI while Pep was playing professional basketball, they settled in Livingston in 1956 to raise their family. Mary lived in Livingston for 47 years raising her 8 children before moving to East Hanover.

Mary took great pride in her role as the matriarch of her family. She was a wonderful cook, baker, seamstress, a prolific gardener and all-around Jill of all trades. Mary never shied away from any task that challenged her.

Mary loved to sing and performed in many local shows. She was also a member of the Music Ministry at St. Philomena’s Parish in Livingston for many years serving as a cantor and a member of the choir. As a member of the choir, Mary had the honor of performing for Pope John Paul II. She was also a member of the Newark Archdiocesan Festival Choir and loved performing with them at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

Mary loved to play tennis and golf. She was a prior member of Spring Brook Country Club and the Pinch Brook Ladies Golf League. On August 22, 1996, on the 10th hole at Spring Brook, Mary had her first and last hole-in-one of which she was very proud!! Her greatest joy was spending time with her friends and family. For all who knew her, Mary’s trademark was her boisterous laugh that expressed her love of family and friends, her love of life…a laugh that could be heard a mile away!!!

Mary was a doting grandmother to 17 grandchildren and 17 great- grandchildren. As much as she loved her children, she really loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mary was pre-deceased by her loving husband of 72 years Frank “Pep” Saul. She is survived by her adoring children Frank (Sally), Mary Jane Gruppuso, Michael (Jessica), Dr. Pat Saul and Jed Rosen, Elizabeth (Richard) Fleet, Daniel (Loretta), Meg (Daniel) Prosicki and Gerald (Tricia). Mary is also survived by seventeen grandchildren: Anthony, Donna, John, Michael, Beth Ann, Ryan, Kate, Eric, Christopher, Matthew, Andrew, Kevin, Gregory, Jordan, Mark, Brittany and Justin; and seventeen great grandchildren: John, Luke, Emily, Mason, Kayla, Emma, Jacob, Tyler, Connor, Peyton, Jocelyn, Maegan, Viola, Theodore, Thomas, Miles and Taylor. Also, her siblings Patricia Lawler, Kathryn (Ben) Quinn and Michael Carpenter (Carolyn); in-laws Madeline Saul and Barbara Saul as well as many nieces and nephews. Mary was pre-deceased by her parents and brother John as well as in-laws Ruth Carpenter and George Lawler.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 4, 2022 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, 145 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave., Livingston, NJ. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral Mass on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Philomena R.C. Church, 386 S. Livingston Ave., Livingston, NJ.

Live streaming of Mary's Mass can be accessed at: https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral-mass-for-mary-saul-976238

In Lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to:

Barnabas Health Home Care and Hospice

23 Main Street, Suite D1

Holmdel, NJ 07733

vnahg.org/honor-a-caregiver-hero/