It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Coralee Gleason (better known as Mama G), at the age of 67 after a courageous 6 year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Through it all she never ever complained and faced each hurdle with dignity, fortitude, and grace, she was a true inspiration to all who know her.

Coralee was born in East Orange, NJ to Victor and Mae Massa and grew up in Long Branch where she attended grade school and high school, being voted Best Dressed, she made her own clothes. Upon graduating Montclair State, she taught Home Economics for the Asbury Park Board of Education at the Adult Learning Center for Mrs. Pat Bruno.

After the birth of her 3rd boy, Coralee decided to pursue her passion and started her own company, Interior Perspectives, where she was able to work from home making custom window treatments, she took great pride in making her clients’ homes more beautiful. Coralee was also an excellent seamstress and would be counted on for making prom and wedding dresses just perfect and she loved doing it!

Of all of Cor’s accomplishments, none was bigger or gave her more joy than raising her 3 boys and watching them grow up. During the summer months, she would load up the van and head down to Takanassee Beach Club where the boys honed their water skills and tired themselves out. She was a soccer mom for Shore Regional H.S. and never missed one of her boys’ games, she was so proud of each of them.

We would certainly be remiss not to mention what a phenomenal cook Cor was as can be attested by all her kids’ friends raiding the refrigerator and making it a point to arrive at dinner time, always an open door policy and always welcome.

Two years ago our family was blessed when our daughter-in-law and Cor’s “little angel,” Arielle, Sean and Liam moved back from Costa Rica to help Tim, Bryan and Michael care for her. Liam was the sunshine of her life, in fact, it was usually Cor’s first words in the morning as Liam got ready for school she would say “ hello sunshine” and he would respond morning MomMom, can I do anything for you? She now has a new grandson William, which always puts a big smile on her face.

Cor leaves countless lifelong friends, too many to mention all by name but you know who you are and please know how much we appreciate everything you have done, we love you all. And we realize it is a testament to her caring and selfless nature of always putting others first.

Again, to list all the special people in Cor’s life would be impossible but a few would include Joanne Welsh, her best friend since grade school who if she wasn’t stopping by would call nightly to check on her, having long conversations and filling her in on all the happenings. Alejandra Aragon, the daughter she never had and help raise to become a beautiful, talented professional with a Master in Global Economics from NYU. Nancy Winter who became one of Cor’s closest friends and private nurse who would drop everything in a minutes notice at all hours of the day or night to render care, not to mention what a great cook she is. Last but not least is Lisa Caprioni who for the last 36 years made it a point to come over daily and brighten Cor’s day, not to mention she helped raise her 3 boys.

Finally, her life would not have been complete without mentioning the love she had for Michael Dziedzic, Michael Katz, Jason Webb and Sal Martelli, sons from other mothers whom she considered her own and Samantha Crupi who she truly loved like a daughter. Her two card groups whose friendship and generosity can never be repaid as well as her extended Pennsylvania family.

Cor leaves behind her husband and best friend of 41 years Tim, her 3 boys and their spouses, Sean, Arielle, Bryan, Michael and Tina, who she loved and cherished and grandsons Liam and William, daughter Alejandra Aragon, her big brother Vic Massa whom she adored and his wife Lorraine, nieces Dena Massa and her fiancé Glen Runge and Amy and John Kelly and sons Jack and Kevin.

Lastly, and so very important, the Gleason family would like to thank the Joan Dancy (PALS) people with ALS Foundation for their compassion, generosity and understanding, and in particular Pat Schaffer for everything she has done for us while fighting this hideous disease.

Mass of Christian burial Wednesday, December 22^nd 11:00 am at Star of the Sea RC Church, 101 Chelsea Avenue, Long Branch. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Joan Dancy and PALS 1 Riverview Plaza, Red Bank, NJ 07701; www.joandancyandpals.org.  For messages of condolence, please visit Coralee’s page at www.woolleyboglioli.com.