Mary Lorraine Capasso

Born and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Mary grew up surrounded by her siblings and the lively atmosphere of her father’s restaurant, Spirito’s, where she spent many hours and formed lasting childhood memories. In her younger years, she worked as a server and bartender before later building a long career in the medical field. Most recently, she worked as a financial counselor at Rahway Regional Cancer Center, where she assisted patients and families during difficult times with kindness and understanding.

Mary married her first husband, Brent Pederson, in 1979 and spent many years making memories with his son, Brooks, before welcoming her daughter, Alexandra (Alex), in 1987. She worked hard to provide her daughter with opportunities and experiences throughout her life. Some of their favorite childhood memories included trips to the boardwalk, Six Flags, North Carolina, and a special trip to the Bahamas, where they swam with dolphins together. Alex carries forward the memories of their time together and the many moments that shaped their lives.

In 2005, Mary met the love of her life, John Capasso. Together they built a life filled with laughter, travel, and many shared experiences until John’s passing in 2020. Some of their favorite times were spent in Atlantic City with Alex—enjoying great meals, seeing shows, playing the penny slots, and walking the boardwalk by the sea.

Mary especially enjoyed cruising to tropical islands and visiting Maine, where she delighted in eating fresh lobster. Some of her most treasured memories included standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon, enjoying pasta in Tuscany, swimming with pigs in the Bahamas, watching the horses race at Monmouth Park, dancing at her daughter Alex’s wedding, and holding her first grandchild, Maxine, for the first time.

She is survived by her daughter, Alex (Pederson) Mangiero, and her husband, Chris; her grandchildren, Maxine, Cameron, and Jordan; her brother, Louis Spirito, and his wife, Eugenie; her sister, Honey Spirito; and her brother, Anthony Spirito, and his wife, Debra; as well as her nieces and nephews, Margaret, Kristina, Angelica, Luciano, and Tony.

Mary was predeceased by her beloved husband, John Capasso, and her parents, Louis and Florence Spirito.

Her life included many experiences, travels, and relationships that remain part of the memories shared by her family and those who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be held at KROWICKI MCCRACKEN FUNERAL HOME, 2124 East Saint George Ave, Linden, NJ 07036, US, on March 12, 2026, from 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

A Committal Service will be held at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, 350 Province Line Rd, Wrightstown, NJ 08562, US, on March 13, 2026, from 11:00 am to 11:30 am.