Mary Iula, Longtime Long Beach Island Resident, Dies At 96

Courtesy of Bugbee-Riggs Funeral Home, Ship Bottom

Mary E. Iula (nee Rovella) of the Pehala Park section of Long Beach Township passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Meridian Healthcare and Rehab in Brick. She was 96.

Mary was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. She summered on Long Beach Island from 1942 until the year her and husband, John, permanently moved there in 1966. Mary owned and operated the A&W Root Beer Drive-In of Beach Haven Crest from 1942 to 1981.

She was a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Brant Beach. She was a loving mother and friend to many. She touched many hearts with her kind and compassionate words, along with being funny.

Mary is predeceased by her husband John J. Sr., in 1996, two sisters, Pauline Alleva and Rose Carroll and her brother Louis Alleva. She is survived by her son, John J. Jr., granddaughter Rose Killmer and her husband, J.C., grandson Arthur and great granddaughter, Lucy Killmer. Also surviving are Susan And Calvin Kidd, Cabrina Hernandez and Charlena Kidd-Ryan.

A Funeral Liturgy will be offered at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 4700 Long Beach Blvd, Brant Beach, NJ 08008. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Parish Cemetery, Manahawkin. Arrangements are under the direction of Bugbee-Riggs Funeral Home, 1119 Long Beach Blvd., Ship Bottom.

Image: Patch file photo.