Obituary of Anna Maria Adams

Anna Maria “Amy” Adams, 88, of Morris Township passed away on March 14, 2024, at home surrounded by her loving family. 

Born in Summit, Amy resided in Madison before moving to Morris Township 23 years ago. 

Amy graduated from Summit High School in 1953.   As a young woman, she worked as a legal secretary in Newark, NJ.

In a time when women’s choices were limited, Amy set the example of how to live a self-directed, fulfilled life, balancing motherhood and a career.  She was successful because she understood how important support was – especially from her dedicated husband, Kenneth Adams, who honored her interests, and her mother, Susie Yannella, who helped with childcare. 

In the late 60s, Amy learned about the Montessori teaching method - the concept of the absorbent child and using sensory input and practical life experiences to develop the whole child.  She trained as a Montessori teacher at Ravenhill in Philadelphia, PA, and received an AMI Montessori teaching degree.   She was instrumental in opening The Westmont Montessori School in Mendham with James and Sandra Dwyer. 

Amy worked in real estate for over 40 years, and as a broker, owned and operated two offices in Madison.  Initially, Century 21 Amy Adams on Kings Road, and later, Adams Associates Realtors on Park Avenue.  She cared deeply about helping everyone achieve the dream of owning a home.  She fiercely, but ethically, negotiated for her clients, both sellers and buyers, and often found both parties were content and satisfied at the end.  The key to her success in real estate was that she built relationships based on trust and respect. 

Amy was a member of the NJ Board of Realtors Ethics Committee. She was also a parishioner of St. Vincent Martyr Church, Madison. 

Amy is survived by her loving husband, Kenneth D. Adams; and her devoted children, Kevin Garrett Adams, Dr. Allison Adams, and her husband, Terrence Gilligan, Merynda Adams, and her husband, Andrew Filippone, and Shannon Pengitore. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Sean Gilligan, and his wife, Dr. Kathleen Sullivan, Kendall Gilligan, Reilly Gilligan, Jake Pengitore, Brody Pengitore, Cory Pengitore, Dean Filippone, and Amanda Filippone, as well as her adored great-grandchildren, Mary and Patrick. 

A Memorial Mass for Amy will be held on Monday, March 18, 2024 at 10:30am at St. Vincent Martyr Church, 26 Green Village Road, Madison. Interment of Ashes will follow at St. Vincent’s Cemetery, Madison. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in memory of Amy may be made to: Pluckemin Medical Equipment Ministry (https://ppcmem.org/). 

Arrangements were under the care of Burroughs, Kohr & Dangler Funeral Home, Madison.