Plan for the Future
Faye Wendel (nee Fiorenza), a Short Hills resident since 1949, passed away at home on February 4, 2020. She was 91.
Born in Newark to the late Giovanni and Sadie Fiorenza, Faye was the Secretary and Treasurer of Peter Wendel & Sons for 25 years and then Secretary of Wendel Industries, Inc. for 2 years. She retired in 1988 after 8 years as President of Wendel Industries, Inc. Faye was a Past member of American Professional & Business Women and was on the Advisory Board for the State Bank of South Orange until 1993. She had also been written up in Who’s Who in American Women, Who’s Who in Finance & Industry, and Who’s Who in the World.
Active in her Parish and community, Faye was a member of St. Rose of Lima Church Ladies Auxiliary in Short Hills. She had also volunteered at Overlook Hospital in Summit for many years and was a member of Overlook Hospital Auxiliary Short Hills TWIG 27, that she loved and enjoyed being a part of. One of the highlights of her life was being a member, since its inception, of Happiness Unlimited, based at Overlook Hospital. The group grants wishes for terminally ill patients.
Faye was the beloved wife of the late Daniel C. Wendel, II. She is survived by her daughter, Catherine W. Bixler of Chester; son, Daniel C. Wendel, who lived at home with her and gave her tender, loving care; and her son, Wayne J. Wendel, as well as her adopted “son”, Victor DiBlassi.
Faye was the grandmother of 6: Christina Wendel of Summit & Jennifer Wendel of Providence, R.I.; Sarah McFarquhar and her husband Kevin of Chester and Elizabeth Bixler of Colorado; and 2 chosen grandchildren, Claire F. Serruto and R.J. Serruto, Jr. of Short Hills.
She is also survived by her great-grandson, Anthony John Benedetto of Chester, her brother, John C. Fiorenza of Clark as well as many nieces and nephews and godchildren that will greatly miss her.
Her dear friend, the late Florence Konnor left her extended family to Faye with whom she had mutual love and respect.
In addition to her husband and parents, Faye was predeceased by her brothers Thomas and Charles Fiorenza, and sisters Rose Mango and Emily F. D’Meo.
Faye thanked God for the life she had.
