Mary Orlando is a Lifelong Westfield senior who has lived in town for 56 years.
Mary and Ed moved to Westfield to ‘live in the country’ with a good school system, with access to both the Jersey shore and NYC. Her twin boys, Rob and Eddie, graduated from WHS in 1975, with one son settling out in California, and the other here in N.J.
Mary and Ed, who were married for 66 years, were honored for their volunteer services for multiple organizations including The Friends of the Westfield Memorial Library and the Westfield Historical Society, Mary volunteered as the library manager at St. Helen’s Church for over 25 years. They were acknowledged by both Union County and the State of NJ for their years of dedication. In 2018, Mary received the President’s Award from the Westfield Historical Society for over 25 years of service as a volunteer.
Mary, who retired in 1994 from Transtech Industries in Piscataway, loved her overseas travel with Ed to Europe to visit family until his passing in 2020. Her pride and joys are her granddaughters, Jessica and Carla, who are both now in college. She has recently become a ‘Swiftie’ after going to see her movie. Among her wonderful memories of our town include New Years Eve downtown with the firetrucks lowering the ceremonial ball, the Festival Symphony at The Presbyterian Church, and touring our historical sites.
She would like to pass on some great advice to our Lifelong residents: Volunteer when you have time, stay busy with your friends (especially in retirement ), and enjoy our Lifelong , library, and houses of worship programs.
