Lucy (Passaretti) Mateo

Lucy Rose (Passaretti) Mateo passed away peacefully at home on May 28, 2024 surrounded by family. Born in Paterson, New Jersey Lucy was a first-generation Italian-American. She was blessed with a long life of 95 years and was pre-deceased by her parents (Mary and John Passaretti), her husband Michael Mateo and her two brothers, Armand (Bernice) and Joseph (Theresa) Passaretti. Lucy started her career at Bell Telephone. Later in her life, she was employed by Ramapo College where she worked until she retired in 2001. She was always known for a tremendous work ethic and she loved being surrounded by the energy of the students. Her desire to continually learn drove her to enroll and complete so many courses at Ramapo, she almost qualified for a degree, all while working full time. Everyone who knew her saw how special she was. She had a powerful combination of curiosity and intelligence. She made her family’s lives better with her sharp sense of humor, her educated risk-taking and did it all while being dressed in style. She loved experiencing different lives, whether it was through all the books she read or through her real-world travelling. She was always ready for any adventure and enjoyed visiting areas 'off the beaten path'. Her travels included trips to Italy (several times), Russia, Egypt, the Great Wall of China, and Vietnam. She was most recently impressed by Antarctica's pristine, and peaceful beauty. She was also a fabulous cook and responsible for so many memories of our family surrounding a table, eating way too much of a delicious meal, and laughter. We all knew Lucy’s greatest love was her family. She was the proud, loving, and beloved mother of six children: John (Randee) Mateo, Maria Mateo, Patricia (Doug) Vanmansart, Michele (Ed) Putnam, Michael (Dina) Mateo and Scott (Patty) Mateo, eleven grandchildren: Michael (Micaela Stanaland) Vanmansart, Ashley Mateo, Josh (Christine) Mateo, Cassandra (Dan) LaBrecque, Jaclyn (Patrick) Reinish, Hannah (Dave Huddle) Putnam, Logan, Max, Cole, Zachary, and Claire Mateo and three great-grandchildren. She was also an aunt to eight surviving nieces and nephews. Her favorite expression to her children was “Did I tell you today that I love you? " You told us all the time Mom, sometimes in real-life, sometimes in our remembering past things you did for us. We love you too.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, June 3, 2024 at 10 AM at Church of the Presentation, 271 West Saddle River Road, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.

Interment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 52 Totowa Road, Totowa, NJ 07512.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Lucy's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or a charity of your choice. 

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