Obituaries

Lucy Dowden, (nee Maher), 93, died on Saturday, December 19, 2020. Born in Jersey City, N.J., Lucy lived most of her life in Jersey City while summering in Allenhurst, N.J. and moving there after retirement.

The Valedictorian of her graduating class at St. Dominic’s Academy in Jersey City, she enjoyed traveling with her sister Marilyn and was an officer of the Jersey City Symphony Society. She was working in a law firm in Jersey City when she met the love of her life, James Dowden. Married in 1959, they were married 57 years until his death in 2016.

Catherine Cooney O'Brien (“Kay”), 88, of Shrewsbury, NJ, died December 21st of Covid-19 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Newark, raised in Glen Ridge and Spring Lake, she graduated from Lacordaire Academy in Montclair and Rosemont College, PA ‘54. Kay was the former owner of More To The Point custom needlepoint and knitting store in Fair Haven. She served on the board of The Women's Exchange in Little Silver for 25 years and was the Newcomers Alumnae Club treasurer for 20 years.

Virginia Woodruff MacConnell, age 93, died December 19th, 2020 in Red Bank, NJ.

Mrs MacConnell lived in Shadow Lake Village, Middletown, NJ after having been a resident of Fair Haven, NJ for over 50 years. Mrs. MacConnell had been a licensed insurance broker and worked with her husband Douglas F. MacConnell, who owned MacConnell Insurance Agency in Fair Haven for many years. Mrs. MacConnell was a member of St. Georges by-the-River Episcopal Church in Rumson, NJ, former member of the Sea Bright Beach Club, and the English-Speaking Union. She was a former member of the Vestry of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, Fair Haven, and the Junior League of Monmouth County.

Mrs. MacConnell was predeceased by her husband, Douglas F. MacConnell in 1986, her brother Franklin Woodruff in 2015, her sister Jane Kearns in 2017, her stepsister Angela Hill in 2018, and her grandson Nathaniel Chauncey MacConnell in 2002.

Lucy DePalma (nee Franzese) was born in Molfetta, Bari, Italy, in 1925. She attended Manzoni Elementary School in Molfetta, and lived in Italy until January 1935 when, accompanied by her younger brother Dominick and mother Porzia Franzese, she immigrated to the United States on the steamship SS Rex arriving to join her father Leonardo already then living in Hoboken NJ. After immigrating to the United States, her parents also had a third child Peter, born in New Jersey. She became a naturalized United States citizen, completed middle school and worked in a garment manufacturing factory in Hoboken NJ. In 1949, she married Joseph DePalma of Molfetta, Italy who immigrated to the United States following their marriage in Molfetta. After her marriage, she worked in the home as a devoted homemaker, raising three children and caring for her husband. She lived in New Jersey, first in Hoboken and later in Union City, Weehawken, Little Ferry and Manalapan in turn. Beginning in 1978, she moved to Jensen Beach, Fla., where she resided with her husband, Joseph, in loving devotion to each other, until his death in 2007.

Francis E. Cooke, known to family & friends as Ed, passed away peacefully at River View Medical Center on December 17, 2020.

Ed had a long career as a computer programming technician manager.

Ed is now reunited with his beloved wife Margie. He is survived by his son Stephen and his partner Susan; daughter Carolyn; granddaughter Madison Rose; sister Elaine Harper and many nieces and nephews

Services are private and entrusted to Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank, NJ.

Harral Redden, 84, passed away on December 7, 2020 after a brief illness with leukemia. Long time resident of Little Silver-Rumson, graduate of Red Bank High School and Ursinus College where he wrestled. Hal was an Insurance Broker and owned the Redden Agency-Insurance in Fair Haven for 50+ years.

Never a summer day went by when Hal was not at Seabright Lawn Tennis & Cricket Club playing tennis or practicing on the ball machine. After maybe a bike ride to Sandy Hook and then to Seabright Beach Club for a swim and to read a book or newspaper. In the winter early birds at New Shrewsbury Racquet Club, 3 day a week gym workout and paddle tennis at Seabright Lawn Tennis & Cricket Club. Then Lunch with his friends at the Root Beer & Checker Club. An avid sportsman Hal completed the NYC and Boston Marathons. In addition to all his sports activities he loved classical music, and writing poems for his family and friend’s special occasions. 

Richard Lewis Schneider, Jr. “RJ” left us on 12/13/20. He was born in Red Bank, NJ where he resided until his passing. RJ was a RBR 1992 graduate. RJ was an active fireman in the Westside Hose Company No. 1, Engine 96 in Red Bank as an Ex-Captain and volunteer for nearly 30 years. RJ owned his own fiberglass company for many years. He was then employed with Amtrak since 2009 as a Machine Operator, Crew Foreman and Trackman. His service to the community is an example for all of us. He could build anything just by sight. RJ was a fun guy with a heart of gold. He had a smile we will never forget. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved boating, being on the water, cooking and gardening.

RJ was predeceased by his Father Richard Lewis Schneider in 2004, his Aunt Nancy Raymond in 2016 and his Aunt Beatrice Welsh in 2015. He was a care giver for his Aunt Dorothy Setaro who predeceased RJ earlier in 2020. His grandmother, Lena Cerrone, also predeceased RJ in 1993.

Carmelo Tiangco Gulfin went home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 11, 2020, in Red Bank, New Jersey. Born in the Philippines, Mel lived his 72 years on this earth showing love to everyone he met—always ready with a smile, friendly greeting, encouraging words, or a song. Mel was a talented singer, guitar player, and composer who conveyed passion and emotion every time he performed. He had a wonderful positive spirit and lit up a room with his radiant smile, melodic laugh, and booming voice. He used his passion for repairing cars to provide a means of transportation to many, especially those starting a new life in the United States. He passed away without much to his name, but because of his utmost generosity with his money, talent, and time on this earth, he stored his treasures in heaven. Mel is now with his beloved Jesus, whom Mel praised, loved, served, and pointed others to throughout his life.

Dianna Rizzo-Wright, the heart of our family, friends' and teaching community peacefully passed away in her sleep on Sunday, December 6th. While she has been called Home to the Lord at such a young age, her ability to bring joy, hope and compassion touched so many lives and leaves a beacon of light that will grace this earth well beyond her 40 years. 

Dianna was born in 1980 in Brooklyn, New York to John and Patricia Rizzo. She  attended Bishop Kearney High School and graduated with a BA from Stony Brook University, which led to a career on Wall Street for six years. In 2012, she received her masters degree from Wilmington University and  began teaching English at Moore Catholic High School in Staten Island. Dianna quickly flourished as she found her true passion and became known for her engaging, animated lectures and pioneering use of pop culture to relate to students in the classroom. She continued on to Freehold Township High School and most recently taught English at Mater Dei Prep in Middletown, NJ setting forth the same dedication for developing a supportive relationship with those who needed her most.