Maria MeleAGE: 96 • Toms RiverMaria Frasso Mele, 96, of Toms River, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 2nd surrounded by her family. Maria was born on August 7, 1921 to Michael and Natalia (Squali) Frasso. She is predeceased by her husband, Angelo Mele and her children, Petre Mele and Natalie O'Hearn. She is survived by her children Toni (John) Dowling of Toms River, Denise (John) Allen of Forked River, Gina Mele of Whiting, and her son-in-law, Frank O'Hearn of Toms River; along with 7 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.Maria worked and retired as an employee with the NJ State Unemployment Office. She was an active member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Toms River, where she was a beloved Eucharistic Minister and a devoted member of the Rosary Altar Society. Maria loved trying her luck in many ways, including daily lottery tickets and scratch offs, bingo, and the penny slot machines in Atlantic City. She was known lovingly by many as "Nawny" and often shared her various baked goods, especially her pies and cookies, but never her recipes. Her family will receive visitors on Tuesday, November 7th from 5 to 8pm at Carmona-Bolen Home for Funerals, 412 Main Street, Toms River. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, November 8th at 10am at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 685 Hooper Ave., Toms River. She will be laid to rest at St. Joseph's Cemetery following the mass. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Maria's memory may be made to: , 1850 York Road Suite D, Timonimum, MD 21093 or online at act.alz.org.Condolences can be sent to www.carmonabolenfh.com