Vincenza Marie Brophy

April 14, 1958 - July 15, 2019

Vincenza Marie Brophy (née Gervasio) passed away with her family by her side at the young age of 61 on Monday, July 15, 2019 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, after a short but fierce battle with EGFR adenocarcinoma of the lung.

She is survived by her husband, Thomas Joseph Brophy; her two daughters, Alison B. Dorsey (Philip), Lauren B. Cooper (Kevin), and her son, Thomas James Brophy; her three grandchildren, Avery, Ella, and Teddy; her brothers, Dominic Gervasio, Anthony Gervasio (Marie), and Msgr. Thomas Gervasio; and sisters, Angelina Barnila, Olympia Burd, Antoinette Irwin, Sr. Frances Gervasio, MPF, Ann Grove, and Margarita LeRoy, and beloved extended family and in-laws.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Tammaro and Orsola DiCarlo Gervasio, her brother, Ralph Gervasio, and her sisters Josephine Chianese and Ursula “RC” Brinkerhoff.

Born in Trenton on April 14, 1958, Cenza attended St. Joachim’s School and St. Anthony’s High School in Trenton before earning an Associate’s Degree at Mercer County Community College.  Cenza often said “don’t count the days, just make them count.” She embodied this mantra through her dedication to her family, friends, and community. She loved nothing more than spending time and sharing delicious food with friends and family, especially her most cherished grandchildren. She was a selfless and dedicated wife, mother, and Nonna, always eager to make every occasion special and meaningful. A known bargain hunter, she loved to shop the latest sales, with a particular weakness for shoes. She was always good humored, loving, kind, and went out of her way to make all feel welcome.  Sought after for her sage advice and exceptional desserts, Cenza was always willing to help, making her beloved by the many communities she served.

Cenza wore many hats, as PTA Board Member, President, Vice President, and many other committee chair roles at St. Gregory the Great for well over a decade, as troop leader of Girl Scout Troop 1684, and as a long-serving employee at the Office of Dennis Balaszi, DMD. Until her death and for the past nineteen years, she was an integral part of the Peddie School admissions office, spearheading the financial aid and interview process and coordinating campus tours and visits for prospective families. Cenza was often the first face visitors to Peddie would encounter, and her double-dimpled smile and warm nature guided families through the admissions process.  Cenza was known as one of the most loyal and enthusiastic supporters of Peddie and was recognized in 2016 by receiving the Green/Zader Beyond the Call award. Her enthusiasm for increasing participation in the Peddie Fund was contagious across campus and generations. Most recently, she served as one of the original members of the executive committee of the Peddie Fund’s new campaign and was the faculty/staff co-chair during what resulted in the most successful Peddie Fund year to date. Simply put, Cenza was the glue that brought each community she touched closer together and the rock that all could rely upon.  Cenza will always be remembered as the smiling face that could not but help brighten each person’s day. 

The Rite of Reception will be held on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at 3:00 p.m., at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 4620 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square, NJ, with visitation to follow from 3:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at St. Gregory the Great Church.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 25, 2019 at 11:00 a.m., at St. Gregory the Great Church.

Interment will take place in Brainerd Cemetery in Cranbury, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, and in recognition of her dedication to Peddie, Cenza’s family is creating the Vincenza Brophy Endowed Scholarship Fund in order to allow all families, regardless of their socioeconomic background, to access and enjoy the benefits of a Peddie education. Donations can be sent to Peddie School, 201 S. Main Street, Hightstown, New Jersey 08520 attn: Vincenza Brophy Endowed Scholarship, or may be made online at www.peddie.org/support. Contributions are also welcomed in honor of Vincenza Brophy at the Lungevity Foundation for lung cancer research aiding early detection, screening, and treatment and can be made at https://lungevity.donordrive.com/campaign/Vincenza-Brophy.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenna Funeral Home, Immordino Chapel, 1799 Klockner Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619.