Obituary of Inez Lena Bacque

Inez Lena Bacque (nee Marinelli), 104, died Thursday surrounded by her family. Born in Michigan in 1909, she moved with her Italian immigrant parents at age 10 to Vineland, NJ, where she lived until she was 100 years old. For the past four years, she lived at the Kennedy Health Care Center in Sewell, NJ. Inez's long life was a true American story. Her childhood was spent on her family's farm on Dante Avenue in Vineland. She credited her health and longevity to eating mostly fruits and vegetables and staying active. During her high school years, she helped raise her four brothers and sisters when their mother and older sister became sick and eventually died. After graduating from Vineland High School in 1927, she attended what is now Goldey-Beacom College. She worked at Zucca's Bakery in Vineland for several years. In 1936 she married Paul Bacque, settled in Vineland, and together they raised four children. While raising her family, Inez worked at several local clothing factories as a seamstress. After retiring at age 65, she began a second career, this time as a "foster grandmother" at the Vineland Developmental Center. She worked there with handicapped residents for the next 30 years. Throughout her life, she continued to sew, crochet and knit, making clothing and accessories for her family. She also enjoyed baking and cooking and loved to teach and share her hobbies with her children and grandchildren. Spending time with family was her greatest joy. During her "retirement," she also had the opportunity to travel to Italy and visit with her relatives there. Her husband Paul and son Joseph; parents George and Myra Marinelli; sisters Renee Marinelli and Mary Renzulli (and husband Ferrar); brothers Joseph, Raymond (and wife Florence) and Alexander (and wife Gloria) Marinelli and brother-in-law Louis Scattolini predeceased her. Surviving are her children Renee Somers and husband Edward of Vineland; Sandra Dailey of Barrington; and Paul "Butch" Bacque of Vineland; sister Anne Scattolini; grandchildren Kathy Somers Dickson (Marty); Edward Somers Jr., Michele Dailey Baccare (Jeff); Christine Dailey-Hunt (Tom); Monique Bacque Selover (Bud); Jennifer Dailey Dougherty (Jeff); eight great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 10 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, St. Rose of Lima Church, 104 Catawba Ave., Newfield. Friends will be received on Tuesday at the church from 9am to 10:45am. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Vineland. Donations in Inez's name may be sent to Kennedy Health Care Center Activities Dept., 535 Egg Harbor Rd., Sewell, NJ, 08080. Arrangements are by DeMarco-Luisi Funeral Home, 2755 S. Lincoln Ave., Vineland.