Obituary:Marie Firestone, 1930-2015
Marie Helen Firestone, a resident of Palisades for 54 years, passed away peacefully at home on November 8, 2015. She previously resided in Brooklyn where she was born on May 14, 1930 to Purphy and Mary Schiano. The Firestones moved to Swan Street in Palisades in 1962. Marie dedicated 44 years of her life to the Palisades Free Library where she was the head of circulation and business manager. Librarian Maria Gagliardi wrote about Marie: “From 1971 - 2014 Marie Firestone was the smiling face at the check-out desk that greeted visitors to the Palisades Free Library. She was devoted to the library and to providing excellent customer service. Last year, the Library Board of Trustees dedicated the Marie H. Firestone Community Room in recognition of her service. Marie always brought good cheer and enthusiasm to work with her each day and had an unwavering love for life. We will miss her very much.”
Marie loved helping patrons and watching the community children grow. She was always up for discussing books, movies and current events with all who visited. Her happy, upbeat demeanor made her the heart of the library since 1970. She was also a member of the Altar Rosary Society and parishioner of the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Tappan.
Marie’s most important accomplishment in life was her family. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Arthur James; her children, daughter Mary Ellen Hart and her husband Jay of Westport, CT, son Arthur and his wife Brenda of Mesa, AZ, and son Ronald and wife Debbie of W. Nyack; her grandchildren, Lauren, Rachel and Carly; her sister Ann Wojtacki and her brother Ralph Schiano. She was predeceased by her sister Connie Bossert.