Mary Elizabeth DiPalma (née Bird) passed away peacefully at home on June 9 at the age of 93 after a brief struggle with cancer.
  
A lifelong resident of Millville, Mary was born in 1932 to Bird Floor Covering owners Russell and Evelyn Bird. A 1949 graduate of Millville High School, she began her working life as a bookkeeper at a furniture store before becoming a keypunch operator at Airwork at Millville Airport.  On Valentine’s Day 1953, Mary married Ernest “Ernie” DiPalma, with whom she shared a birthdate (May 17, 1932).  During Ernie’s naval service, Mary lived briefly near Camp Lejeune, NC before returning to Millville while Ernie was stationed on Vieques Island (Puerto Rico).  In 1959, they purchased a home where they raised their four children: Eileen, Kathleen, John, and Paul.

As her children grew, Mary held many temporary positions through Manpower, followed by years at Bridgeton Hospital and Raritan Engineering. The original soccer mom, she was a founding member of the Millville Soccer Association. Mary also bowled as part of the Loyle Lanes Ladies league. Mary and Ernie loved hosting friends and family and traveling, especially road trips and cruising.  Together they were longtime members of St. John Bosco Church in Millville, where Mary sang in the choir.  “Mama DiPalma” was renowned for her baking and pasta sauce, and her porch and basement bar were cornerstones of family gatherings and holiday traditions.  Her talents and kindness reached well beyond her home. In recent years, Mary enjoyed attending Mount Pleasant​ Methodist Church and volunteering at Help and Hope Ministries Food Bank with dear friends Axel Johnson III, Socorro Ortiz, and David Thompson, the “Fab 4” of food delivery. 

Mary was predeceased by Ernie, her husband of 64 years; her parents, Evelyn and Russell Bird; and her siblings Ann Nelen and Bill Bird.

She is survived by her sister Joan Horton and husband Bill of Florida; her children Eileen Duffy of Vineland, Kathleen Galarza and husband Angelo of Port Elizabeth, John DiPalma and wife Kari of Stevenson, WA, and Paul DiPalma and wife Maggie of Pilesgrove; grandchildren Evelyn Duffy (Jennifer Young), Madelyn Duffy, Alyssa DiPalma Carswell (Chris), Nicholas Galarza, William Galarza, Danika DiPalma Pfeiffer (Kory), and Cara Mia Stephenson; and great-grandchildren Charlie June Carswell and Abraham Ernest Stephenson, with Baby Girl Pfeiffer expected shortly. 

A public visitation will take place on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with services beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Christy Funeral Home (11 W. Broad St. Millville, NJ).  Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery (intersection of Sharp St. and High St. in Millville) beginning at approximately 12:00 noon, where Mary will be laid to rest next to her husband Ernest.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Help and Hope Ministries Food Bank (214 Howard St, Millville, NJ 08332) and Alzheimer's Disease Research (PO Box 96011, Washington DC 20009).

Memories and expressions of sympathy for the family of Mary DiPalma can be shared on her tribute wall.