Obituary of Theodora Papianni

Theodora May Papianni "I always say, 'Don't hurt the animals..." Theodora May (MacNeill) Papianni was born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Theodore MacNeill, a Pennsylvania coal miner, and Nellie Thomas. She had a brother, Robert (d. 2001). Her family moved to Newark, NJ at the age of 14. She graduated East Side High School where she met the love of her life, John Papianni (d. 2001) of Newark. They were married in 1950 and in the next eighteen years has six children together. They resided in Newark until 1985 when the family moved to Piscataway, NJ. Teddie and Jack were married for over 50 years. After thirty years as a housewife, Teddie went to work for the Essex County Courts in Newark, NJ as a Probation Investigator in the Child Welfare Division. She retired in 1992. From a very early age, Teddie was a trained singer of light opera and popular music and made several recordings during the 1940's and 50's and would never deny any chance to sing. Her last "performance" was in February 2011 at the Parker House in Piscataway, NJ in celebration of her then 83rd birthday. Theodora leaves her five children - Deborah Widman and husband Gary, Denise Alexander and her husband Paul, Diane Francovitch and her husband Michael, Mark Papianni and his wife Anne, and Christopher Papianni and his wife Linda. Her youngest daughter, Beth Ann died in 1991. Theodora also leaves eleven grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Teddie was an avid lover of all animals, having numerous pet companions throughout her life. She encouraged everyone to treat them with love and respect, as we would treat all people. In lieu of flowers, the family has kindly requested any donations on Teddie's behalf, be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ASPCA of New Jersey at www.aspca.org. Relatives and friends will be gathering on Saturday, March 24, 2012 beginning at 9:00AM in the McCriskin-Gustafson Home for Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ 07080 followed by an 11:00 AM funeral service in the funeral home. Interment will follow at Resurrection Burial Park, Piscataway.