Obituary of Mildred Crescenzo

Mildred Crescenzo , age 94, died at home on February 5 , surrounded by family and friends. She had been in declining health for the past two years. Mildred was the daughter of John and Jennie (Mastrogiovanni) DeMarco. During the early years, her brothers, sisters and she worked on the family 30 acre farm. Mildred attended Vineland Public Schools and graduated Vineland High School in 1938. She had been employed by Wene Chick Farm and the Gove Thermometer Factory in Vineland, after graduation. After marrying Warren W. Crescenzo and having two children, she was asked to cover a one day cooking assignment at Oak & Main School in 1951. Mildred spent the next 20 years in the Oak and Main cafeteria, followed by 25 years at the Solve D'Ippolito School. She retired from the Vineland Public Schools at age 82, after receiving rave reviews for her cooking methods to make the foods taste homemade and with generous portions. Children never went hungry on her watch. It is estimated that she served over one million meals during her tenure as Senior Cook/Cafeteria Manager. Mildred was also active in the Main Ave. Fire Co. #4 Ladies Auxiliary, where she spent over 20 years as President. She was active in many of the school-related activities to benefit the children and served as an officer of the employee association. She appears in many of the iconic photos relating to Vineland History, including Tiny Tim Fund, parent/ teachers groups and the Vineland Centennial. The children of D'Ippolito School dedicated the school yearbook to her in 1999. Mildred is survived by her son, Warren L Crescenzo and his wife Barbara (Carroll) and her daughter, Beverly and her husband Phillip Erricson. She is also survived by her grandchildren Gina, Jennie, Juliana and Giovanna Crescenzo, who were her favorite pastime. Mildred is survived by her sister, Esther Fricano, many nieces, nephews, cousins and many longtime friends and associates. Mildred was predeceased by her husband, Warren, and by her sisters Angelina, who died as an infant, Rose Spada and husband James, brothers Lewis D. DeMarco and wife Elizabeth, Frank L DeMarco and wife Elvira, all of Vineland, brother-in-law John Fricano of Egg Harbor Township, and Joseph DeMarco and wife Frances, of Boynton Beach Florida and close friends, Grace Federici and Doris Champion. Donations, in her memory, may be given to a charity of one's choice.