Obituary of Mary Scholl

Mary Scholl, 87

Mary Scholl, 87, passed away peacefully at Merry Heart Senior Care in Succasunna, NJ, on Jan. 7, 2023. A true trailblazer, Mary was known for her devotion to her career as an insurance broker as well as a volunteer and champion to several philanthropic organizations. However, her most cherished roles were that of daughter, sister, mother and grandmother.

Mary was born in Newark, NJ in 1935 to Ester and Lawrence Gagliardi. She and her two beautiful sisters, Carmela and Nancy (both deceased), resided in the Vailsburg neighborhood of Newark, where the three attended Westside High School. After graduation, Mary enrolled in Berkeley Secretarial School. She went on to earn her insurance license while raising two daughters, Donna (Scholl) Ciuba (deceased) and Victoria (Scholl) Trien. In 1967, Mary settled with her family in West Orange, remaining there as a proud resident for 55 years. Mary dutifully served at Szerlip & Co. for most of her career.

Mary was the first female member of the Italian service organization, UNICO, in 1997. With her natural sense of leadership and comradery, she broke the mold yet again to become the first female president of UNICO’s West Orange chapter in 2011. In 2013, she was the recipient of the Center for Italian and American Culture Lifetime Achievement Award. Mary was also a devoted member of the Rotary Club of West Orange for more than a decade.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Victoria and grandchildren, Rebecca Caiola (Mark), Stacey Errico (Chris), Mike Trien (Jenna) and Julie Trien as well as great-grandchildren, Jackson Errico, Natalie Errico, and Nico Trien. Mary leaves behind many nieces, nephews and cousins whom she loved deeply.

Services will be held at Dangler Funeral Home in West Orange on Jan. 11 from 4 pm to 8 pm. Mass at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in West Orange to follow on Jan 12 at 10 am. Internment will take place at Gates of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Orange West UNICO Foundation

Re: Mary Gagliardi Scholl Memorial Scholarship Fund

Mailed to: Couto DeFranco,

300 Executive Drive, Suite 200

West Orange, NJ 07052