Jean Marie Tait

Jean Marie (Mercadante) Tait, 84, of Montclair, NJ, passed on peacefully at home on September 13, 2018 surrounded by her loving family.

Born on June 6, 1934 at her home in Worcester, MA, she was the daughter of the late Maria (Autorino) and Maurizio Mercadante. After high school, she moved to Montclair, NJ and worked at Montclair National Bank. There she met the love of her life, Richard Tait Sr., a Montclair police officer, on a blind date. They married and she became a stay at home mother, raising her four children. Later she worked for the Immaculate Conception School cafeteria alongside her sister, Ann, creating home cooked meals for the students. She retired in 2001 and was the sole caregiver for her husband when he became ill until he passed in 2010. She loved spending time at the Jersey Shore and with her large extended family on Cape Cod. Everyone looked forward to her famous gravy and meatballs when she cooked for her large family.

Predeceased by her husband, she is survived by her son, Richard Jr. and his wife Nancyanne, her daughter Maryellen Fabrizio and her husband Richard, her son Allen and his wife Patty, and her daughter Karen Malleo and her husband Anthony. She is also survived by her 10 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild, Richard Tait III, his wife Kim and their son Richie IV, Scott, Thomas, and Mark Tait, Matthew and Laura Fabrizio, Britton and Jack Tait, and Giancarlo and Sara Malleo. She also leaves behind her in-laws Betty Paulikas, Helen and Robert Downey, and many nieces, nephews and dear friends. She was predeceased by her sister Ann Autorino and her husband Art, and her brothers Pasquale, Rocco, and Louis Mercadante and their wives. In Jean’s final two years, she was lovingly cared for in her home by her angel Mzia, who has become another member of the family.

Visitation hours will be held on Sunday, September 16, 2018 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Caggiano Memorial Home for Funerals, 62 Grove Street, Montclair NJ. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, September 17th at St. Teresa of Calcutta-Church of the Immaculate Conception, 30 N Fullerton Ave, Montclair NJ at 10:00 a.m.