Jenny Arevalo
Jenny Arevalo, of Newark, died Jan. 26. She was 37.
Arrangements were by the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral Mass was held at St. Lucy’s Church, Newark, followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
Jenny is survived by her husband Richard, children Domenica, Jerry and Sebastian and her siblings Alexandra, Euguenia, Marcela, Carmita and Victor.
Stacy Lauren Paiva Sant’Ana
Stacy Lauren Paiva Sant’Ana died Jan. 27. She was 23.
Born in Secaucus, she lived in Dunellen and Saylorsburg, Pa., before moving to Kearny six years ago.
Arrangements were by the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A service was held at the funeral home followed by a private cremation. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.armitagewiggins.com.
Stacy had a truly inspiring personality. Unfortunately, her life was far too short. Despite her own illness, having been the only recipient of four heart transplants, she was very successful in encouraging hundreds of people to declare themselves as an organ donor. We will never know the full scope of her heroic battle to help others in medical need. Her short life lives on however because of her and her parents selfless action of donating her eyes, bone marrow and skin. She loved everything pink and we encourage you to wear pink at her funeral. A devout Harry Potter fan, she loved to read and write. She loved all things supernatural.
She is survived by her loving parents Julian and Susan Sant’Ana, and her cherished brother Steven Tyler Sant’Ana. She was also the beloved granddaughter of Mary and Richard Paiva and Lazaro and the late Nita Sant’Ana.
Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Joseph Woods
Ronald “Ronnie” Joseph Woods, born in Paisley, Scotland, passed away peacefully on Jan. 20, 2016, at the age of 84 in Melbourne, Fla., his home for the last 12 years. Ronnie grew up in Paisley where he attended St. Mirin’s Academy, excelled at academics, became a standout goalkeeper at soccer, and went on to become a First Class Scout.
Following graduation, he enlisted in the Royal Air Force and was stationed in Singapore. He returned to Scotland in 1951, and began employment at Coats & Clark Textile Mill as a foreman of the production of industrial thread while studying engineering at night at the Paisley Technical College.
In 1955, Ronnie married Mary Dean (nee Foran) Woods at St. Mirin’s Church in Paisley. Shortly after, the couple immigrated to America, on the USS American Chief, a merchant marine vessel, from Glasgow and arrived in East Boston. They initially resided with relatives in New York City, but eventually settled in Kearny in 1958.
In 1957, Ronnie began his long and fulfilling tenure with the Otis Elevator Company in Harrison, and then New York City, as an elevator designer, inspector and cost estimator. He worked on landmark projects throughout Manhattan, including the Empire State Building, the World Trade Center, the United Nations, Ellis Island, the Waldorf-Astoria and many others. Ronnie also designed elevators for US Navy aircraft carriers and for the Kennedy Space Center. A recognized expert of his profession, Ronnie retired from Otis (United Technologies) in 1994 before continuing as a consultant with J. Martin Associates, Mahwah.
In Kearny, Ronnie was actively involved in coaching youth soccer for a number of years, was a member of the Arlington’s Players Club (tennis), and parishioner of St. Stephen’s Parish.
Ronnie cherished literature, especially Charles Dickens, Shakespeare, poetry, as well as military history, particularly the US Civil War and both World Wars, having survived direct Luftwaffe bombings during WWII in a backyard shelter. He had an extraordinary memory, and could recite sonnets and famous speeches effortlessly, particularly the Gettysburg Address and Winston Churchill.
Ronnie is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Dean “Maureen” Woods, and his five loving children and their respective spouses: Ronald and Johna Woods of Alexandria Va., Dan and Anne Marie (Woods) Logan of Indialantic Fla., Dave and Linda (Woods) McAllister of Kearny, Michael and Kathleen (Woods) Gilson of Little Silver; Toby and Maureen (Woods) Maxwell of Key Largo Fla., as well as eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Ronnie was a wonderful and loving son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, mentor, colleague, and friend, an overall good person with a big heart. He will be greatly missed, admired and never forgotten. May God rest his loving soul.
There is no service planned at this time. In lieu of flowers or offerings, please make donations to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/), or to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (https://www.aspca.org).
Daniel Dougner
Daniel Jude Dougher, 20, of Harrison, passed away suddenly on Jan. 29, 2016. Arrangements are under the direction of Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison. Viewing hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 3. To read his complete obituary or to send condolences to his family, please visit www.mulliganfh.com.
