Marlene was born in Carbondale, PA on August 20, 1936, to the late Leo and Iris (Davis) Nepa. She grew up in Carbondale before going to school to become a registered nurse in Scranton, PA. She began her career as a registered nurse at East Orange VA Medical Center in New Jersey. While working in East Orange, she met her beloved husband, Anthony J. Fierro. After getting married, she moved to Newton, NJ and worked at Newton Memorial Hospital before she began working with her husband at their title insurance business, Anthony J Fierro Abstract. After retirement, she moved to Florida for several years before returning to Newton to live with her daughter, Felicia, son-in-law Eric, and three grandchildren, Andrea, Anthony, and Andrew.
Marlene had a passion for life’s simple pleasures - Christmas cookie baking, late night TV shows, reading, shopping, and a 3 o’clock cocktail. She loved playing card games and was always up for a challenge, especially if it involved a good puzzle. She could often be seen with her friends at weekly card game gatherings that were filled with laughter and friendly competition. Marlene also enjoyed the occasional trip to the casino, always approaching life with a sense of fun and a happy spirit. Above all, her greatest joy came from being surrounded by her family.
The beloved wife to the Late, Anthony J. Fierro, Marlene is survived by her daughters, Felicia Carlson (Eric), Angela Critchley (David) and Toni Ann Lawler (Thomas); her grandchildren, Andrea, Anthony, Andrew, Stephanie, Allison, Erika and Emily; 8 great- grandchildren and her siblings, Rosemary Poronsky, Jacqueline Gribble, Michelle Criscera, Carmen Nepa, Paul Nepa and Louis Nepa. Along with her parents, she was predeceased by her daughter, Marlene Fierro Schick, her granddaughter, Brianna Lawler and five siblings.
A visitation will be held on Friday, August 29, 2025, from 2 pm – 4 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm at Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High Street, Newton, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 11 am at Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church, 48 Tranquility Rd, Andover, NJ 07821. Entombment to follow at Saint Joseph Church’s Cemetery in Newton, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Newton Volunteer First Aid and Rescue Squad, PO Box 5 - Newton, NJ 07860. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
