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Obituary

When Annamae Morrisroe peacefully passed away at her Hackensack home on November 1, 2022, the world lost a woman whose high spirits and determination had been a force in her family for 86 years.   She was strong-willed, a cancer survivor, a lover of fun and fashion, and a beloved wife, mother and grandmother.  At the time of her passing, she lived in Hackensack after residing in New Milford for 49 years.

Annamae was born in Hoboken, NJ and had many happy memories of her childhood there.  Aunts and uncles and cousins were nearby and there were many kitchen parties where the uncles would bring beer and their talents for festive evenings of singing and playing.  These nights instilled a lifelong love of music and especially for singers like Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Nat King Cole.  As a young woman, she often traveled to New York to see the best big bands, such as Count Basie and Duke Ellington.

In her early 20s, Annamae was working as a teletype operator at the Hinde & Dauch paper company, when she was introduced to a co-worker named Tom Morrisroe.  He quickly became the love of her life.  After a brief courtship, they married in 1959 and would celebrate 63 anniversaries. 

In 1972, the family moved from Hoboken, where her husband was a firefighter and longshoreman, to New Milford.  Annamae proudly dedicated herself to raising their four children:  Kathy, Jane, Tom and Eileen.  They were active members of Ascension Parish for nearly 50 years.

In the early days of their marriage, Annamae became an expert shopper, always finding a way to dress herself and her family in stylish outfits.  Her love of fashion carried throughout her life and she always seemed to find the perfect outfit for every occasion – whether that would be going to the mall, her favorite Italian restaurant, or a special evening of dancing and dining.

Annamae loved summers and hot days spent at the local swim club.  She loved a good party and was known to entertain her family by standing on chairs and singing and dancing.  She also loved midnight bowling, chicken parm, red wine and everything Irish.  She decorated her home extensively for St. Patrick’s Day and for every other holiday.  All holidays were a cause for celebration.

Annamae is predeceased by her parents, James and Anna Meeks and by her son-in-law Bill Naddeo.  She is survived by Tom, her husband of 63 years; children Kathy Peist (Ken), Jane Naddeo, Tom Morrisroe (Deb), and Eileen Morrisroe.  She leaves behind her cherished grandson, Nicholas Peist.  Annamae is also survived by two brothers, Jim Meeks (Diane) and John Meeks (Barbara); two sisters-in-law Ann Hayes and Margaret Strehle; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family sends heartfelt thanks to Dr. Peter Coppola for providing incredibly attentive medical care to Annamae for more than 30 years.  In addition, the family would like to thank Rose and Barbara of Chez Rosemary Hair Salon, who styled Annamae’s hair for years.

Visitation will be Friday, November 4 from 3PM to 5PM and 7PM to 9PM at the Beaugard-McKnight Funeral Home, 869 Kinderkamack Road, River Edge, NJ.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 5 at 10:30 AM at St. Peter the Apostle Church, 445 Fifth Avenue, River Edge, NJ.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Holy Name Foundation, 718 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ 07666.

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