DAVIS & HEPPLEWHITE FUNERAL HOME - Key Persons

Sparta Township, Mrs. Carol L McDonald, 82, died on March 5, 2024 at the Complete Care Center at Barn Hill in Newton. She was born in Newark, NJ and lived in Landing before moving to Newton and later Sparta 2 years ago. She was a homemaker and very active at the County College of Morris not only as a student but later as a benefactor. She wrote plays, short stories, worked as a writer for local newspapers from time to time and was a pen pal with celebrated author Stephen King when he had just started his career. She was predeceased by her husband, of 60 years, Walter McDonald in 2018, and by her daughter Sherri McDonald in 1978, She is survived by her son Roy F McDonald of Sparta, sister Francine Notte, Daughter in law Karen McDonald and grandchildren Miles McDonald and Alissa Ryan.

Mrs. Catherine "Cathie" Verdicchio, 77, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2024 at her home. She was born in Newark and grew up in Belleville. She lived in Livingston for many years where she raised her family before moving to Ledgewood to be cared for by her loving niece, Tracy Donofrio. She began her career as a hairdresser and later worked in the kitchen as a chef in Livingston. She also enjoyed sewing, reading and spending time with her grandchildren. She is survived by her (former) husband Peter Verdicchio and her 2 daughters, Linda Pecoraro and Carla Santos. She also leaves her grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Roxbury Township, Mrs. Donna Marie Hamfeldt (Maiden name Starr), who grew up in Rockaway, died on February 8, 2024 (64 y/o) at Morristown Memorial Hospital. She was born on September 21 st 1959 and moved to Succasunna in 2001. She was a home school mom for her children, home maker, and a member of Faith Center for the Arts. She is survived by her husband Albert Digby Hamfeldt of 35 years, by her 3 children: Albert (spouse Brittany), Christopher, and Melissa; 3 grandchildren: Andrew, Joshua, and Jonathan, her mother Madeline Starr, and her sister Valerie.

Roxbury Township, Judith E Kwiecien, 74, died on March 1, 2024 at the Regency Grande Center in Dover. She was born in Morristown and lived most all of her life in Succasunna. She was a 1968 graduate of Roxbury High School and later earned her Teaching Degree from Trenton State Teacher's College. She then taught in the Stanhope school system for many years. She was a life member of the Succasunna United Methodist church. For many years she rode her motorcycle with the Mine Hill American Legion. She was predeceased by her husband Anthony Kwiecien in 2006. She is survived by her brothers Roy A Cooper (and Gayle) Cooper of Rockaway Township, Brother David (and Jeannine) Cooper of Christiansburg, VA. She also leaves her 2 step-son's David Kwiecien of CO, and Jeff (and Sara) Kwiecien of PA, many nieces, nephew, grandchildren, and by her companion Rick Easterling.

Roxbury Township, Mark B Stevens, 65, died on March 13, 2024 at St. Clare's Hospital in Dover, NJ. He was born in Mt. Kisco, NY to Henry and Marion Stevens and grew up in Bedford Hills, NY where he attended Fox Lane High School. After graduating high school he attended Wagner College in Staten Island, NY where he received both his bachelor's degree in business and his MBA. It was here he met Cindy, his wife of 38 years. They got married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, NY in June 1985 where they lived before moving to New Jersey in 1988. Together they had three children Kristen, Andrew and Karl. Mark was most recently a Project Manager for Pfizer in Peapack, NJ for many years and previously worked as a Senior Application Consultant for IBM, as a Solution Strategy Manager for JD Edwards, and as a General Sales Manager for NYK Line. He loved the outdoors-he enjoyed hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, going on RV road trips with his family, and taking his boat out on Lake Hopatcong and Lake George. Mark was a lifelong runner, inspiring his children to follow suit. He was a cross country and track and field coach for the Roxbury recreation program and took part in many 5Ks. He was a Personal Fitness merit badge counselor for the local Boy Scouts and he was a member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Succasunna, NJ for over 30 years. He is survived by his wife Cindy Tjornhom Stevens of 38 years; his three children, Kristen (and Ian) Lindsay, Andrew (and Austen) Stevens, and Karl (and Karissa) Stevens; his grandchildren, Connor, Emma, Kennedy, and a fourth grandchild due this month; and his sister Nancy (and Nick) DeGrazia. He was a loving brother, husband, proud dad and Pop Pop and always put his family first.

Blairstown, NJ. Mr. Patrick John Deming, Jr. ,51, passed away suddenly on February 13, 2023. He was born in Fort Dix, NJ while his father was in the U S Airforce. He later lived in Mine Hill, and later in Netcong before moving to Blairstown 4 years ago. He was a self -employed Carpenter and contractor and began working with Lyman and Ryerson Electric. He was an avid fisherman and loved his dog Lexi. He always helped everyone. His hard work and professionalism are his legacy. A PROUD member of the Deming family and his humor and bluntness will be remembered by us all. He is survived by his mother Phyllis E Deming of Succasunna, and by his 2 sisters and 2 brothers: Suzanne Deming (Brian Schengrund) Steven Deming (Cheryl A. Deming), Karyn Landis (Gary Landis), James Deming (Natalie Deming). He is also survived by 9 Nieces and Nephews: Johanna (David), Emily, Connor, Samantha, Amanda, Benjamin, Kaitlyn, Ellie Mae.

Roxbury Township, Mrs. Stella A "Gigi" DeStefano, 93, died on February 24, 2024 at the Bristol Glen Center in Newton. She was born in Brooklyn and lived in Netcong before moving to Succasunna 67 years ago. She graduated from Netcong High School at the age of 16, and later earned her Teaching Degree from College of St. Elizabeth's in Convent Station at the age of 20. She was a beloved teacher in the Roxbury Township School System for 38 years and was the first recipient of the N J Governor's Teacher Award, founding member of the Roxbury Women's Club, and founding member of St. Therese R C Church in Succasunna. She loved hosting and shopping and had a keen sense of style and fashion. Her favorite colors were jewel tones. Visitors can feel free to wear color. She was predeceased by her husband Nicholas J DeStefano in 2016, her sister Frances Tardive and her brother Joseph Ferrucci. She is survived by her children; Mary Frances DeStefano of San Francisco, CA, Catherine Ann DeStefano (and Ray) Keough of Sparta, Phyllis (and Bill) Tonnesen of Branchville, and Philip (and Christine) DeStefano also of Branchville. She also leaves her 7 grandchildren; Lauren, Nicholas, Katie, Sara, Taylor, Giancarlo, and Philip, and 9 great grandchildren; Astrid, Liesl, Elsa, Tristan, Hawkon, Aryanna, Noah, Olive, and Hugo. She also leaves many nieces and nephews. Grandchildren were her joy. You could be sure to find her at the baseball game or at the football field or basketball court.

Job Titles:

• Manager N.J. License No. 3240