Mabel LaPlaca, a long term resident of Princeton, passed away peacefully in her home on February 22 at the age of 95 surrounded by her loving family and devoted caregivers.
Mabel was the last of 14 children born to Rosa and Angelo Mystrena who emigrated to Trenton, leaving behind their beautiful homeland in Tuscany, Italy near Florence. Mabel was the last surviving child of her family. She was an employee of General Motors in Ewing, NJ where she contributed to our Country’s World War II war effort. She met her husband, Charles LaPlaca, a heroic US Army veteran, at a popular local dance hall in Trenton during the aftermath of the war. They became husband and wife, and business partners for 51 years. This handsome couple had 2 daughters, Rosemary and Laraine. One of Mabel’s favorite memories were the days of volunteering with a local group of Trenton women who visited a women’s home for underaged single pregnant women. Mabel was a member for many years of St. Paul’s Church in Princeton and then became a member of Life Gate Christian Assembly in Trenton in her later years.
She is survived by 2 daughters, Rosemary Peters and Rev. Laraine Bender, son-in-laws Dan Hines and Morris Bender, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitations will be held at Ledford Funeral Home, 929 South Clinton Ave, on Friday evening, March 2nd, from 7 to 9 pm and Saturday March 3, 9:30 to 10:30 am at Life Gate Christian Assembly, 901 S. Clinton Ave, Trenton.
Celebration of Life Service will follow immediately then at Life Gate Christian Assembly at 10:30 am.
