Manville, NJ – Lillian Rose (Smith) Patero, 73, entered into eternal life on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at Regency Heritage Care Center in Somerset. Born and raised in New York City, NY, daughter of the late John and Mary (Kutner) Smith, she had resided in Manville for many years and Las Vegas for the past 18 years settling back to Manville two months ago.

At the age of 18, Lillian graduated Queens College in NY and went on to work for Manville Board of Education having been a kindergarten teacher in the borough for 35 years, a member of the NJ Teachers Association and Manville PTA. Lillian, along with another teacher, was credited with beginning full day classes for the kindergarteners and she was the 1st to be recognized in Somerset County with Teacher of the Year award for her dedication to the children in the borough of Manville. She was a communicant of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Manville and while living in Las Vegas was a communicant and a member of the rosary society at St. Joseph, Husband of Mary Roman Catholic Church where in 2008 she was Angel of the Year. Lillian was also a member of VFW Post #2290 Ladies Auxiliary in Manville.

Lillian leaves behind her beloved husband, former Mayor & Assemblyman Joseph D. Patero; loving daughter Alicia M. Patero and her husband Mark Banovich of Raritan Township; dear cousin Carol Paffenroth of Pine Island, NY and many nieces & nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation at Fucillo & Warren Funeral Home, 205 South Main Street, Manville, NJ 08835 on Tuesday, May 17 from 4-8 p.m. and on Wednesday, May 18 from 8-8:30 a.m.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 18 beginning 8:30 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a 9:00 a.m. funeral liturgy at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Manville. Lillian will be laid to rest in the family plot at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Hillsborough. Memorial contributions may be made in Lillian's memory to the Manville Rescue Squad, South Street, Manville, NJ 08835.