Obituary of Elinor Mantone

Elinor Mantone (nee Cucco), a longtime Madison resident, died peacefully surrounded by the love of her family on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at Morristown Medical Center. She was 85.

Elinor was born in Brooklyn on April 10, 1933 to the late James and Pauline Cucco. She was raised in New Providence and was a graduate of Summit High School. She settled in Madison in 1957 with her beloved husband, the late Paul “Skeeter” Mantone, Sr., where she has lived since. Elinor had a long career as a computer programmer in the insurance industry. She was a pioneer of working with the first computers introduced to private industry. Elinor was employed by the Hooper-Holmes Insurance Company of Morristown and the Beneficial Finance Insurance Company of Peapack, prior to her retirement.

Elinor’s life was devoted to her family, her tremendous faith and to helping others. St. Vincent’s Church was an important part of her life. She was a member of the church choir for many years and loved singing during masses and special events. Elinor provided warm welcome and outreach to new members of the church and Catholic faith as a member of the Right of Christian Initiation. Elinor’s caring nature and warm disposition made her the perfect unofficial surrogate mother to newly ordained priests at the church. She was active in Pre-Cana and devoted time to teach English as a second language to new parishioners that did not speak fluent English.

Knitting was an important part of Elinor’s life and she used her hobby to create items that provided comfort and warmth to others. She knitted hats for premature infants, booties for children being baptized, lap robes for disabled veterans and special afghans for each of her nieces and nephews when they got married. She loved spending time knitting with her dear friends at the Madison Senior Center and enjoyed teaching others how to knit.

Elinor cherished time spent with her family, especially her children & grandchildren, and enjoyed taking trips to Myrtle Beach, SC.

Elinor was a devoted mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She was a loving, genuine person that put others before herself, listened well and would always follow up with a phone call. Her warmth, kindness and great sense of humor will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved her.

Elinor was predeceased by her beloved husband, Paul “Skeeter” Mantone, Sr. in 2010; three brothers, Louis Cucco, James Cucco & William Cucco; one sister, Marie Valerio; and two nieces, Gina Cucco & Maryann Valerio. She is survived by her two sons, Paul “Skeeter” Mantone, Jr. of Madison & Michael Mantone and his wife, Debbie of Madison; her daughter, Lorraine Figarelli and her husband, Alfonse of Livingston; her four cherished grandchildren, Pauline Figarelli, Michael Mantone, Donovan Mantone & Mary Cate Mantone; and many nieces, nephews & dear friends.

Funeral services will begin at 9:00AM on Monday, February 11, 2019 at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison, followed by a 10:00AM Liturgy of Christian Burial celebrated at St. Vincent Martyr Church, Madison. Interment will be held at St. Vincent’s Cemetery, Madison. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a visitation to celebrate Elinor’s life on Sunday from 1:00PM to 5:00PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in Elinor’s memory to the Madison Ambulance Corps, 29 Prospect St., Madison, NJ 07940 or St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, P.O. Box 159, Madison, NJ 07940.