Obituary of Marie T. Gunderson

Marie Theresa Gunderson, 89, devoted wife, mom and sister, successful realtor, avid tennis, mahjong and bridge player, painter and long-time resident of Glacier Hills passed away peacefully on Sunday at her home in Parsippany, NJ. Marie is survived by her children Stephen Gunderson and his wife Maryann, Jeanne Marie Gunderson and Suzanne Scott and her husband Preston Scott. She is also survived by her grandchildren Lance Corporal Edward Ridar Gunderson USMC, Margaret Augusta Gunderson and Margaux Christiana Scott. Marie was predeceased by her husband Edward Gunderson and her son Edward Paul Gunderson. Marie is also survived by her beloved siblings Andrew Lagomarsino, Claire Alberti, Catherine Censullo, James Lagomarsino, Rosalie Lagomarsino, Victor Lagomarsino, their spouses and many nieces and nephews. Marie was born on July 28, 1930 to her parents Celestina and Victor Lagomarsino who were immigrants from Genoa, Italy. She grew up on 3rd Street in Union City, New Jersey with her six siblings. Her family learned of death too early as their mother passed away when Marie was twelve years old and their father died suddenly four years later. These passings left the seven Lagomarsino children orphans and it tied their family together with strength and love for generations to come. To help provide for her siblings, at the age of sixteen, after graduating from Saint Michaels High School Marie went to work for the Delaware-Lakawana Railroad starting as telephone operator in Newark, New Jersey and eventually moving to Pier 13 in New York, NY as a Clerk. She worked for the Railroad for more than ten years. She left work in 1957 to marry her sweetheart Edward Gunderson. Marie settled to raise her family in a new community called Glacier Hills. Once there they also became active and helped build Saint Christopher’s Church. In her later years, Marie wouldn’t miss the 8am Sunday mass. The last 8am mass Marie attended was on Christmas morning 2019 with her children. Christmas was a very special time of year for Marie where she hosted an annual open house at her home for their large and growing extended family. Her last Christmas she was blessed to have all of her children and grandchildren together where they continued their traditions which included singing Christmas Carols. Marie was an extremely active stay at home Mom but was also devoted to her husband and children’s busy lives. In 1982 she decided to return to work and launched her career as a Realtor with Schlott Realtors now Coldwell Banker. Marie thrived as a Realtor where she had great success and earned wonderful achievements and sales records. She was many times the Sales Associate of the Month, made the Millionaires Club and also achieved the Presidents Club status. In addition to her many hobbies mentioned, Marie loved baseball especially her favorite team the NY Mets. She also wouldn't miss a Seton Hall University basketball game. Her favorite sport overall was tennis which she played actively for years on Women’s teams and loved watching and rooting for her favorite players including her own children. And, she was an avid reader devouring two to three books a week. She loved politics and history and had wide interests. Marie was also a true “Jersey Girl”. She loved her time at the Jersey shore with her family on Pelican Island and in Spring Lake. She could be found on the beach reading her books and newspapers for hours. Marie Gunderson was truly extraordinary, incredibly talented in so many ways, a true renaissance woman. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 21, 2020 at 9:30am at St. Christopher's Church, 1050 Littleton Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054. In lieu of flowers, the family of Marie Gunderson respectfully requests contributions in her memory to the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center, 475 South Street, 1st Floor, Morristown, NJ 07960 (donations may also be made on line at www.f4mmc.org) or the Saint Christopher’s Church, 1050 Littleton Road, Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ 07054.