Obituary of Marion L Alexander

Marion L. Alexander, Teacher and Principal, Loving Wife and Mother

Marion Largey ALEXANDER, of West Orange, N.J., passed away on February 10 at Complete Care at Summit Ridge, West Orange.  Marion was born in Orange NJ in 1930 to Hugh and Kathryn McLoughlin Largey, and graduated from St. John’s Grammar School in Orange, Our Lady of the Valley High School in Orange, and Caldwell College for Women.  After graduation she worked at New Jersey Bell in several capacities.  Soon afterward, she met Joseph Alexander of Vailsburg, Newark.  They married on September 14, 1957 at St. John’s Church in Orange; they were married for 65 years and were known as a devoted, loving couple.  They first lived in East Orange and had a son Joseph Jr. and then moved to Vailsburg and had a daughter, Mary Eileen.  In 1973 Marion and Joe moved to West Orange, where they have lived ever since. 

In 1968, Marion started work as an 8^th grade teacher at Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament School in East Orange, specializing in History.  She would later become the first lay principal in the school’s history, and during her tenure instituted kindergarten.  Marion enjoyed great friendships with many of her fellow principals, teachers, and staff, and for her loving service to her students, “Mrs. A.” was recognized by the Archdiocese of Newark when she was presented with the Caritas Award.  During many summers she participated in continuing education programs, in addition to spending time at the family home in Point Pleasant Beach.  During the summers she also assisted her sister and her sister’s husband with bookkeeping at Jerry Lynch’s Hotel in Belmar.  After some years, OLMBS school would be joined with nearby St. Joseph’s School, and Marion first moved to St. Joseph’s as Vice-Principal to ease the transition for OLMBS families, but after a few years became Principal of St. Joseph’s, a position which she held until her retirement in 2011.  During her time at St. Joseph’s she instituted pre-school programs.  She was also named an honorary graduate of Seton Hall Prep school in recognition of the many fine students that had gone to SHP from her schools. 

Marion was very proud of her Irish Heritage, and was a member of the Irish-American Society of the Oranges, the Women of Irish Heritage of the Jersey Shore, and the Jerry Lynch Social and Civic Club.  Marion and her husband Joe sponsored and hosted several children via the Project Children program, becoming close with the childrens’ family back in Ireland.  Marion and Joe enjoyed many trips to Ireland over the years, including a trip for their 50^th wedding anniversary, with a Mass and party celebrated at the Knock Shrine, the parish Church of Marion’s mother’s youth.  Marion was a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees, and as a teenager attended Babe Ruth Day in 1948. She and Joe were very pleased to meet Bernie Williams and have their photo taken with him.  Marion was known for having a large number of close lifelong friends from her various walks of life.  At the center of her life was her Roman Catholic Faith. 

Marion is survived by her husband Joseph Alexander of West Orange; her son Joseph Alexander Jr. and his wife Deborah of Linden; and her daughter Mary Eileen Pellecchia and her husband Ronald of West Orange.  She is also survived by 4 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.  She was predeceased by her sister and brother-in-law Katherine and Raymond Donahue; sister and brother-in-law Frances and Jerry Lynch; brother and sister-in-law Robert and Marguerite Largey; brother and sister-in-law William and Gloria Largey; brother John Stanley Largey; and brother and sister-in-law Harry and Dorothy Largey. 

The family will receive visitors at the Dangler Funeral Home, 340 Main St., West Orange, on Monday, February 13 from 4 to 8 pm.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Church, 44 Benvenue Avenue in West Orange at 10:30 am on Tuesday, February 14. Interment will follow at St. Teresa Cemetery, Summit.   In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Joseph Grammar School, 115 Telford Street, East Orange, NJ, 07018, or the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.