Lois H. Mauriello

Lois grew up in Newton, where music became a big part of her life. She learned piano as a young child, and sang throughout her young adult years, representing Newton High School at the All State Chorus in Atlantic City. Lois earned a music scholarship to the New Jersey College for Women. She sang with the choir at Christ Church in Ridgewood NJ, and at St. Bartholomew’s in NYC where she studied organ, eventually becoming the organist and choir director at the Pascack Reformed church in Park Ridge. While raising her six children, Lois taught piano, and performed in many local concerts. She went on to work many years at Bergen Pines, Hackensack, & Nyack hospitals, in both professional and volunteer positions. Until very recently she continued playing the same Steinway grand piano she purchased in 1942.

Of course the other big part of her life was her family. Calls or visits from family and friends were the highlights of her day (so long as they didn’t interrupt her Yankee game). Young & old; people were lifted by her conversations. Lois is survived by her daughters, Linda Murazzo of Seattle WA, and Anne Kelly and her husband Gregg of Oakland NJ, and her son Matthew Mumford and his wife Julie of Warwick NY. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Lois was predeceased by her husband William, two brothers Wilson and Harvey, two sisters Edith and Doris, and three sons David, Daniel, and Stephen. She was a long time member and past elder of New Hempstead Presbyterian Church in New City, and also a member of The Historical Society of Rockland County.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 28, from 4-7 at Higgins Funeral Home, 321 South Main Street, New City. A funeral service will be held at New Hempstead Presbyterian Church on Thursday at 10:00 am, followed by interment at the Newton Cemetery in Newton, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lois’s memory to New Hempstead Presbyterian Church, 484 New Hempstead Road, New City, NY 10956