Maria T Parise

Maria T. Parise, of Kinnelon, NJ passed away on February 5, 2015. Born in 1953, Maria grew up in the Middletown-Red Bank area and lived most of her life in New Jersey. In 1972, she earned an Associate's degree from Brookdale Community College, followed in 1975 by a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with High Honors from William Paterson College of New Jersey. In 1979, Maria earned a Master of Arts in Counseling with Graduate National Honors from the University of Virginia, complemented by a Master of Social Work from Columbia University in 1986. She was a member of the Phi Lambda Theta National Honor Society. Her work as a high school counselor was praised by the communities she served. In the Butler High School District, parents recognized her tireless work on behalf of their children as "exceptional," a force that gave troubled students hope for the future. Maria was predeceased by her father, Mario T. Parise, and her mother and step-father, Letitia and Anthony Lioi. She is survived by four brothers--Mario T. Parise (Karen) of Phoenix AZ, Patrick M. Parise (Sandi) of Columbia, SC, John J Parise (Debbie) of Mount Laurel, NJ and Anthony F. Lioi of Highland Park, NJ--and also a nephew and six nieces. Maria enjoyed music of all styles, but her love and passion was playing the piano and attending the local symphony. It was her wish to have no services and to have all remember her in the best of times. Donations in honor of Maria's memory may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Donate).