Marie Liddicoat

Marie Gavassa Liddicoat, 85, of Seaside Park, NJ passed away suddenly on April 17, 2025, with her daughter Pamela Ann and son Clifton James by her side.

Born in Philadelphia in 1939, Marie was the daughter of Joseph and Rose(Codario) Gavassa of Lavorgna,Italy, and Hammonton, NJ.

After graduating from South Philadelphia High School, she worked as secretary for the government agency in Philadelphia near Rittenhouse Square, where she met the love of her life,and husband of 50 years, Cliff. She then attended Penn State University, Kutztown University and Temple University completing her bachelor’s degree, and went on to obtain her master’s degree at Montclair State University in NJ.

Marie married Clifton W. Liddicoat on August 25, 1962, in Delano, PA, his hometown. They settled in Allentown, PA before moving to Riveredge, NJ and finally settled permanently in Butler, NJ as Cliff became an Economics Professor at William Paterson University. Marie was an active Faculty Wives’ member at WP, eventually becoming President in that role. After marriage and having two children,

Marie began her career at Butler High School in New Jersey as an English teacher. She spent her days with high school seniors teaching literature, poetry, and her true love – the legendary William Shakespeare. During this period, she was also hired as the first female district English Supervisor at BHS, while maintaining her teaching role. She had many other roles at school, such as senior class advisor, prom advisor, English gifted/talented decathlon advisor, radio club advisor, and joined the Delta Kappa Gamma Educators’ Association before retiring in June 1999.

Her career as an educator spanned thirty wonderful years during which students and staff loved Marie alike and formed many long-lasting friendships that went into the present day. It would not have been a good Friday without a BHS staff happy hour at Maggie’s, where her children were known to call and ask for “Mom.” It would not have been a BHS staff Merry Christmas without Marie and Cliff’s party at their Butler home where the meticulously decorated “Rockefeller” tree stood tall and proud in their living room, followed by the “trivial pursuit” game lasting well into the late night hours.

Many of her students also became lifelong friends, celebrating their own milestones with Marie, spending time together and creating many loving memories. Marie loved music with Sinatra, Burt Bacharach, and the Bee Gees among her favorites, along with the jazz genre where she and Cliff enjoyed many concerts, local piano players, and live musical venues. She loved to cook for her family and friends, her Italian cuisine, and a variety of many delicious, authentic meals.She played tennis, exercised, loved crocheting.but more than anything, Marie was a devoted wife, Mom, and Nana and loved her family and extended family so very much. Life was family, and family was her life. In addition to family, she had a strong love for her many pets over the years: Missy,Zowie, Daisy, Tiny,Pebbles, Max, Callie, Fred, Beau, Duke, Buddy, Meredith,Olivia and Cupcake.

She loved to travel every weekend, alternating her family in Philadelphia and her husband’s family in Delano. Marie and Cliff traveled up and down the East Coast in their station wagon, eventually finding their permanent vacation spot in Seaside Park, NJ where they eventually retired after many blissful summers at the shore.This special scenic beach where the joys of ocean waves, sunshine, cool breezes, swimming, bird watching, good friends, and wonderful entertainment won them over.

She then spent well over a decade or two as a member of the SPYC, which she genuinely enjoyed, volunteering at the Sunday junior grill, then becoming a co-chair of the entertainment committee, loving every moment. There was not a day that went by where Marie did not talk about her Philadelphia Eagles, her beloved Phillies, and her favorite 3rd base player Michael Jack Schmidt. She attended the 1980 World Series game where the Phillies clinched the Championship title, and then attended the two Super Bowl Championship parades for her beloved Eagles in 2018 and 2025. They won this last one just for her!

She was predeceased by her loving husband Clifton W. Liddicoat, sister Joanne Gavassa, and parents Joseph and Rose Gavassa. Marie is lovingly survived by her daughter Pamela Ann, son Clifton James, grandchildren Summer Marie, and Ryan Joseph Liddicoat, along with her many extended family members, cousins and life long friends.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday April 23, 2025 from 3 - 6 pm at the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 809 Central Ave Seaside Park, N.J. 08752. The funeral will be Thursday April 24, 2025 from 9 am to a 10am morning visitation a 10:00am Funeral Service  at the funeral home which will last until 10:30am. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Brielle N.J. 11am. Condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.ryanfuneralhome.com.

Donations may be made to ASPCA or flowers are welcome from Narcissus Florals

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.