Back to Message Board

Marie Ferrara Pilus - Class of 1943

Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 17/Jan/2025
97.124.228.241

    Marie Pilus, 99, passed away peacefully in her sleep at East Longmeadow Skilled Nursing Center in Massachusetts on Monday, January 13, 2025 and now is with her daughters and her beloved husband.
Marie was born in Newburgh, New York on August 15, 1925, daughter of the late Dominick and Agnes (Kratche) Ferrara. She attended schools in Newburgh, graduating from Newburgh Free Academy in 1943 with a focus on administrative skills.
She worked as a secretary in Newburgh before marrying Leonard Pilus on March 22,1945 when Len returned from the European theater serving in the Army as a Technical Sergeant on D-Day. Marie and Len then went to California as Len was going to Hawaii for training to land in Japan serving in the Japan Assault Signal Company (JASCO), a special unit.
Marie and Len returned to Newburgh starting a family and continuing with their work careers. They relocated to Vermont in 1967 with their three daughters, Len working at IBM and Marie continuing her secretarial career ending as the faculty secretary at St, Michael's College in Colchester.
After an early retirement at 58, Marie volunteered at McClure Miller Respite House and the Catholic Daughters of America. Together they traveled to Italy, England, France and many states in the US, enjoying high school reunions and reunions with Len's JASCO army unit.
She enjoyed her time in Florida and Maine with family, friends, grandchildren and grand dogs.
Marie and Len were married for 72 years before he passed in 2017. She then moved down to East Longmeadow to be nearer to family, residing at The Reserve Assisted Living before going to the nursing center in 2020.
Marie was predeceased by her parents, sister Anne, brother Herbert (Buddy) and her three daughters Mary, Christine and Lenelle.
Marie is survived by her daughters Maryann Liebel and husband James in Springfield, MA,
Lori Pilus and her husband Charles Farmer in Francestown, NH, and their 2 children Christopher (Emma) in Asheville, NC and Shelby (Sam) in Boise, ID and Lenelle's children and grandchildren in Maine.
A Mass of Christian burial was held at St. Patrick Church in Springfield MA. Burial next to her husband and 2 infant daughters will be in the spring in New Windsor NY,
at the convenience of the family.
Donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or the charity of your choice. The family also invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com.