Mrs. Mary Trella
September 2, 1949 - June 16, 2024
Mary Traynor Trella, 74, of Clifton, passed away on June 16, 2024.
Mary Traynor Trella was born on September 2, 1949, in Jersey City, NJ. Her family settled in Wayne, NJ, and she graduated from Wayne Valley High School. She attended Duquesne University where she made many long-time friends but most importantly, she met the love of her life, Matthew Trella. On September 12, 1970, they were married, a love story that lasted 53 years.
After transferring and graduating from Montclair State University, she taught speech and theater at Paramus High School. In 1975, Mary and Matt were thrilled to adopt their first child, Katie. Three years later, they traveled to Poland with great joy to adopt Matthew, Junior. In 1982, they were delighted to add their son Christian to their family.
Mary was a mover and a shaker with a bright, generous spirit. She shared this with the world by running multiple successful fundraisers for the North American Wheelchair Athletic Association. When her daughter Katie attended Mount Saint Dominic Academy, Mary became the director of Admission, Development, and Parent Liaison at the school, increasing the enrollment substantially through her dynamic personality and rapport with the students. She continued in the position for six years.
After falling in love with Cape May, NJ, Mary and Matt built their dream home there, naming it “My Blue Heaven,” and enjoying the beachfront life for 26 years. Mary continued her successful fundraising as Director of Development and president of the board of Cape May Stage, opening her beautifully decorated home to visiting actors and hosting many galas there.
In 2015, Mary and Matt returned to northern New Jersey to be close to the apples of their eyes, their granddaughters Allison and Elizabeth. Allison became Mary’s partner in coloring, while Mary and Elizabeth shared a love of books. She filled her new home with friends, both new and old, making it the social center of the neighborhood. Mary lived by the motto: “Never forget to entertain strangers, as sometime you have entertained angels unaware.”
Mary was the most giving, generous person on God’s earth. If she didn’t have it, she would borrow it from Matt and give it away. All who knew her loved her and she will be greatly missed. The world will be a darker place without her bright spirit.
Mary is survived by her husband of 53 years, Matt; her daughter, Katie Zinsmeister, and husband, Michael, and their two daughters, Allison and Elizabeth; her son Matthew, Junior; and her son Christian Trella-Pace and his husband, Russel. She was predeceased by her beloved Schnauzers, Fido and Spike, but survived by her faithful canine companions, Scranton and Fordie.
Entombment at East Ridgelawn Cemetery, Clifton.
In lieu of flowers, donations made to Mount St. Dominic Academy, 3 Ryerson Ave, Caldwell, NJ 07006, www.msdacademy.org/giving in memory of Mary would be greatly appreciated.
