Marie Nancy De Lorenzo

Marie Nancy De Lorenzo (née Cerefice), age 87, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones, leaving behind a family who adored her and a legacy of warmth, laughter, and devotion. Marie was born on November 30th, 1938, to Louis and Anna Rose Cerefice, in Newark, New Jersey. Marie is survived by her beloved husband William “Bill” De Lorenzo, with whom she shared 64½ years of marriage-a partnership built on love, respect, and a lifetime of shared memories. She was a devoted mother to her daughters, Lisa and Gina; a cherished mother-in-law to Chris and Michael; and the proud grandmother of Ryan (Ellen), Sara (Corey), C.J., Sean (Madison), Kyle (Mackenzie), and Kelly. Her greatest joy in recent years was being “Grandmommy” to her great-grandchildren-Camden, Levi, Luke, Nolan, Laurel, Oliver, and Brooke-who brought her endless amounts of happiness and pride. Marie shared a close and loving bond with her only brother, Len (Gen), and she cared deeply for her nieces Julia and Jenna, and nephew Mark, each of whom were like a grandchild to her and they held a very special place in her heart. A lifelong learner and dedicated educator, Marie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Speech and English at Montclair State University. She later earned her Master’s Degree in Communications while working full-time as a Placement Coordinator in the Office of Laboratory Experiences at the University of Maryland-an achievement that reflected her determination, intellect, and passion for learning. While working, she also co-authored and published a teacher’s manual on Creating Professional Teaching Portfolios, which led to her being invited to present at International Education Symposiums, including professional travel to Taiwan and South Africa, a source of great pride and recognition of her work. Marie had many passions outside her career. She was an accomplished sewer and quilter, an avid reader, and a wonderful cook and baker whose food was the highlight of family gatherings. Her favorite family recipes were her chocolate sponge cake and “Nellie’s” Neapolitan cookies (petit fours), which she only baked at Christmas. She was also an enthusiastic college football fan, especially of the Ohio State Buckeyes, which she followed with loyal excitement. Most recently, she supported the Fairhaven residents’ association by coordinating the sale of furniture donated by community members. Together, Marie and Bill shared a love of travel, exploring the world side by side. Their personal travels took them throughout Europe and beyond, including Italy, Spain, England, and Argentina-adventures they cherished and often shared through pictures and stories with family. Their most memorable travel moments were when Marie and Bill celebrated each grandchild’s high school graduations by gifting them an unforgettable trip to Europe. These journeys lead to lifelong memories, an abundance of laughter, cultural experiences, and an important part of Marie’s legacy. Above all else, Marie’s pride and joy were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As Grandmommy, she followed their lives closely, celebrated every milestone, and loved them fiercely and unconditionally. Her kindness, quiet strength, creativity, and unwavering devotion to family will be remembered always. Marie will be deeply missed and forever loved. Having known her was a blessing to be treasured forever. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Haight Funeral Home & Chapel, 6416 Sykesville Road, Sykesville, MD 21784. A Catholic funeral mass will be held at 10 AM on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 1125 St. Michaels Road, Mt. Airy, MD 21771 followed by entombment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Silver Spring, MD. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to BridgingLife's Dove House, c/o: Development Office, 200 Memorial Avenue, Westminster, MD 21157. Online condolences may be offered at www.haightfuneralhome.com

Marie Nancy De Lorenzo

November 30, 1938 - January 7, 2026