Mary G. (DeRosa) Bishel

Mary Grace DeRosa Bishel, passed away in the early morning of Tuesday, May 13th in Suffern, NY.

Mary was a beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, neighbor, and friend. Born on February 7, 1936, in the Bronx to Albert DeRosa and wife Helen Gartner DeRosa. Her two sisters, Patricia and Carol were added to the family as they spent their early days in the Bronx on Tomlinson Avenue. There they went to school and grew up at a nostalgic time when everyone knew everyone in the neighborhood, played stoop ball, stick ball and street games, sidewalk block parties and enjoyed the sense of extended family in the neighborhood. Aunt Patty said that Mary was the leader amongst the kids in the Bronx neighborhood where she always ran things, and the other kids looked to her. They spent their summers in Lake Carmel, NY. Mary always ran the show at Eddies’ bungalow where they were taught square dancing at night.

Sparks flew when Mary met Eugene Carter Bishel after he returned from his service in the United States Coast Guard. Her cousin Sal and Tommy DeRosa were friends with Gene and introduced them. They married on November 7, 1954, at Saint Theresa’s Church in the Bronx. Together they had 3 children, she was a devoted mother to Debra, Dawn and Albert. They moved their family up to Rockland County, bought a house and settled into suburban life in Spring Valley, NY in 1972 and childhood summers were spent with their cousins down at the Jersey Shore.

A strong, responsible, and hard-working lady, sometimes working 2 jobs. Mary worked one at Packaging Systems where she worked in the Telecommunications Dept for 10+ Years. She also worked in the Bronx for Montefiore Hospital and The Albert Einstein School of Medicine as the Director of Telecommunications. She handled the beepers, pagers, smartphones etc. for both medical centers and had to make the necessary changes to systems as technology advanced over the years. Her staff truly adored and respected her. After 45 years there and at 75 years of age she finally decided to retire. They tried hard to get her to stay but it was time, time to enjoy the fruits of all her years of hard work and dedication. Now she found joy in the simple things in life without all the hustle and bustle.

Mary Had such a pure and kind heart, a caring spirit and a deep religious and spiritual core. Throughout her life she remained humble, modest, and grounded and was known for her quiet strength and thoughtfulness. Her family was everything to her. She made friends wherever she went. She was always there with a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, a word of encouragement or a simple hug. She wasn’t one to put herself first. Whether it was caring for relatives, remembering to call friends on tough days, or quietly supporting her family from behind the scenes, she lived with kindness at the center of everything she did. She didn’t need to be the loudest voice in the room—she let her actions speak. Christmas was a magical time when Mary showered not just her kids, but everyone with gifts. It was her favorite holiday.

Mary’s friends were plentiful because she always made you feel special. She was a modern woman always dressed to the nines. She loved watching the Knicks, Mets, Tennis matches, bowling but Golf was her favorite. Mahjong, playing cards, Rummikub, rag magazines, reality shows, cruises, Atlantic City, shopping, couch pillows, sweets, bingo, boardwalks and watching the Tram Car Please, and the occasional gossip.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Debra Jackson of Mahwah NJ, Dawn Bishel of Stony Point NY, and her son Albert Bishel and wife Janice Youngman-Bishel of Suffern NY. Cherished grandmother to Cassandra Colletti and Husband Joseph Colletti of Port Orange, Florida, Melani Bishel and Fiancé Richard Krakowski of Hillsdale NJ, Frank Bishel and his wife Jessica of Southfields, NY and Brittany Williams and her Husband Robert Williams of Chester, NY. Loving Great-great grandmother to Stephen, Salvatore and Joseph Colletti of Port Orange Florida and Oliver Carter Williams of Chester NY. Mary leaves behind her loving sisters Patty Deakin of Danbury CT and Carole Gallagher of Benton, Kentucky as well as her many nieces and nephews. Mary was adored and known as “Grandma Mary” to the grandchildren of the Youngman family. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Eugene Bishel, her brother-in-law’s James Deakin, Chip Gallagher and her son in law Stephen Jackson.

Mary’s smile radiated from her beautiful soul. Her unconditional love and her forgiving heart will remain with us forever.

Our thanks to the magnificent care that Mary Mariconda, MJ Paulison and the staff of Christian Health Center in Wyckoff NJ as well as the nurses and staff at both The Valley Hospital in Paramus and Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, NY. Your care for Mary was exceptional and we are so grateful.

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