Mary Tumminello

Mary Tumminello (nee Aria), age 96, passed away on January 5, 2018, at her home in Scottsdale, Arizona. Mary was born on March 15, 1921 in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. She was the widow of Raymond Tumminello. They were married in 1947 and shared 43 years together. Mary was also predeceased by her parents Carmella and Camillo Aria, six siblings, and a son, Raymond Tumminello, Jr.
Mary was survived by a son, Anthony Tumminello and his wife Carol, a daughter, Susan Rienzo and her husband James, and a sister, Lillian Portington and brother, Carmelo Aria. She had five grandchildren: Anthony Tumminello (wife Camelia), Tracy (Mrs. Jeffrey) Freundlich, Dan Tumminello (wife Jill), Christina (Mrs. Erik) Anderson and Kelly (Mrs. Joey) Landin, and eight great grandchildren: Ava and Olivia Freundlich, Aiden, Asher and Cale Tumminello, Sofia and Sadie Anderson, and Lilah Landin.

Mary spent part of her childhood years in Minersville, Pennsylvania, where her father worked as a coal miner, before moving back to Lyndhurst, New Jersey. In 1959 she moved to Wayne, New Jersey where her husband Ray owned and operated the T-Bowl bowling alley with his brothers and was active in local politics. At the age of 81, Mary made a big move to Arizona to be closer to her daughter and granddaughters. Eventually all of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren settled in Arizona and Mary happily presided as matriarch of a very close-knit family.
Mary was proud to have worked as a "Rosie the Riveter" for Wright Aeronautical during World War II. She had several other professions, including seamstress. She sewed many beautiful clothes, even formal evening gowns, for herself and her daughter. Mary obtained her beautician's license and had her own hairdressing business. She also ran the Department of Consumer Affairs in Wayne, N.J.
Her love of learning new things was endless.

Mary also had a passion for travel and saw many European countries, including six trips to Italy. She also traveled to Jerusalem, Israel and Egypt, as well as most of the fifty states.
Some of Mary's happiest times were spent with her five sisters and two brothers. When they all got together they never stopped telling stories and laughing. Mary also enjoyed bridge, reading, movies, cooking, arts & crafts and bowling, which she participated in up until a couple of years ago, earning MVP of her bowling league in 2014. She was active in the Wayne (N.J.) Women's Club and, more recently, the Legion of Mary with St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church in Scottsdale.
But what Mary loved most was her family and seeing the three generations that came after her blossom and enjoy life. Their closeness, tight bond and carrying on of traditions brought her more joy than anything. That was her greatest legacy and biggest source of pride. Everyone who met her remembers her as a gracious, gentle, beautiful and sweet woman of great class who always seemed much younger than her actual age. She will be dearly missed by all.


Visitation will be on Friday, January 12 from 5:00 to 7:00PM, followed by a rosary service, at Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary on 6500 E. Bell Road in Scottsdale. A mass celebrating Mary's life will be held on Saturday, January 13 at 10:00 AM at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church on 10755 N 124th Street in Scottsdale. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of the Valley in Mary's memory. Visit www.hansenmortuary.com for online condolences.

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