Obituary of Marie Raffa

Marie DeRise Raffa of West Orange was released from this mortal world to dwell in the house of the Lord forever on Saturday, September 26. She was 78 years old. Born in Brooklyn, Marie was the first of Alphonse and Anna DeRise's five children. She was introduced to music at an early age by her mother, a singer for Italian radio in her native Italy. At age 8, she began private piano lessons; it became her life’s passion. She studied piano at the Performing Arts High School in New York and, upon graduation, started her family. Later, when finances became difficult, she began playing ballet classes at Carnegie Hall where her daughter, Nancy, was beginning her career as a major talent in the ballet world. This led to becoming a pianist for world-class ballet companies such as American Ballet Theatre, Miami City Ballet and New Jersey Ballet. She was the exclusive pianist for Madame Gabrielle Darvash, a ballet coach, for 16 years and played master classes for Maya Plisetzkaya, Nora Kovach, Ishtvan Robovsky, Stephan Stefansky, Irena Kolpakova, Johann Renvall, Ivan Nagy and Valentina Kaslova. Several of her performances were heard on WNYC Radio. She was the pianist on a four album set, Music For Ballet Class With Joseph Levinoff, which was released on S&R Records and for Music From The Heart, a family ballet project with her son, Lou Montelione, who composed the music and produced the CD through Perfect Music Productions. Marie cherished large family gatherings, trips to the family country home in Godeffroy, NY, and spending time with her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, particularly the babies. She loved many close friends and maintained childhood relationships throughout her life. A very compassionate and giving person, she opened her home to foreign exchange students studying ballet and donated to animal charities even though her means were limited. She expressed herself in painting, poetry, and fashion design and studied and embraced all religions. She loved cooking, jewelry, knitting, reading, laughing with her friends, and holding infants. But her talent and enthusiasm shone through most brightly when she played piano. It was her special joy and her gift to everyone. Marie was preceded in death by her brother, Alphonse DeRise, her sister, Anna DeRise D'Ambrosio and her eldest son, Lou Montelione. Marie will be missed by many who loved her, including her daughter-in-law, Linda Tara Montelione; her son, John Montelione and his wife, Marlise; her daughter, Nancy Raffa Hallman and her husband, Bob; her son, George Raffa and his partner Richard Alvarez; and her son, Alfonse Raffa and his wife, Tracie; and her "adopted" son, Larry Bobker. Also: her brother, George DeRise and his wife, Kathy; her brother, Robert DeRise; and her brother-in-law, Vincent D’Ambrosio; grandchildren including Michael and Matthew Montelione, Laura Michelle Hallman, Gregory and Chelsea Anna Montelione, Mia Montelione, and Anthony and Sophia Raffa; and nieces and nephews including Christine, Patty Ann, Alphonse Jr., Eric, Jennifer, and Jonathan DeRise; Alfonse, Denise and Vinny D’Ambrosio; and Danielle, Robert, Fabrienne, and Bianca DeRise. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 29 from 5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, NJ, 07060 (908)756-0017. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 30 at 10:30 A.M. at Our Lady of the Mount Chapel, 167 Mt. Bethel Road, Warren, NJ 07059. Memorial gifts may be made by sending flowers to the funeral home or by donating in Marie’s name to the North Shore Animal League America, Port Washington Shopping Center, 25 Davis Avenue, Port Washington, NY 11050 (http://www.animalleague.org) or the Best Friend’s Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, UT 84741 (http://www.bestfriends.org).