Laura Marie DeFeo

It is with great sadness that the family and friends of Laura Marie DeFeo note her passing away on April 28th after celebrating 101 wonderful years together.

Born Laura Marie DeGiovanni in Philadephia, she was a life-long learner.

She began a career in a time when most women did not. After graduating from Pierce College, Laura began work with Philadelphia's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and later she served as head of the PTA of the Frances Reed School.

It was in Philadelphia that she met the love of her life, her husband, John Joseph DeFeo. Their only child, John was born to them in 1946.

Following her husband's life-long dream of living in New Jersey, the DeFeos moved to Audubon - it has been there that Laura made her loving, lifelong home.

After her husband's death in 1959, Laura returned to her career and began work at what is now PNC Bank. She rose to manager of the bank's drive up branch, retiring after 27 years of making customers feel like friends, and their dogs never without a treat from the doggie biscuit bowl.  Her bank customers and co-workers remember her fondly to this day.

Her character, and her faith kept her on a course of "true north." In all things she was kind, dependable and exceptionally wise.  She proudly read the Philadephia Inquirer cover to cover each day, and loved to discuss politics and the local news.

The family thanks her co-worker and dear friend, Barbara Ruff, for the care she gave Laura in recent years that allowed Laura to live out her life in her cozy home, surrounded by friends and her beloved azaleas.

Laura is survived by her son, John E. DeFeo, her granddaughter Elizabeth Lorayne,  her great-granddaughter, Genevive and many other family members in the Philadelphia area.

The funeral mass will be said for Laura at the Church of St. Rose of Lima, in Haddon Heights on Monday May 7th at 11:00AM.  A viewing at the Henry Funeral Home will precede the funeral mass.