Jaye McConnell passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, May 24, while napping in her favorite chair. She was 100 years old. Jaye was born Giuseppina Guarino in Newark on April 13, 1920.

She was the eldest child of Rosario and Caterina (Aiello) Guarino. During World War II, Jaye supported the war effort building aircraft electrical systems for the Breeze Corporation in Newark. After the war, she worked for the Continental Insurance Company. It was there that she met the love of her life, Archibald McConnell. Jaye and Archie married in 1961 and settled in Colonia.

Jaye loved animals, caring for stray dogs, cats, and injured birds. She was a collector of everything. Jaye saved, recycled, and repurposed long before it became popular. If one of us kids needed an obscure item, we could count on Aunt Jaye emerging from her room of treasures with just what we needed. Jaye was the loving keeper of our family history. She once spent 9 straight hours on the phone with a cousin, relating from memory names, dates, and recollections of family going back two generations before her. She loved the written word and each of us treasures a letter or card graced with her beautiful handwriting. Aunt Jaye was the heart of our family. We will keep her with us always.

Jaye is survived by her beloved brother Dr. Lawrence Guarino and his wife Cindy, her sisters-in-law Ann Guarino and Rose Guarino, her dear friend Albert Clancy, and many nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, and cousins.

Jaye was predeceased by her parents, her dear husband Arch, her brothers Mel and wife Eddie, Mimmie and wife Grace, Carmen and wife Elsa, Anthony, Louis, Peter and wife Rosalie, her sister Etta Giuffrida and husband Joseph, sister-in-law Marie Guarino, "sister" Dottie Palazzo and husband Al, niece Joanie Pepe, nephews Daniel Louis Guarino, Robert Guarino, and Ronnie Guarino, and her best friend Eleanor Clancy.

Final arrangements have been entrusted to Costello-Koyen Funeral Home. Jaye was laid to rest in St. Gertrude's Cemetery in Colonia on May 27, reunited at last with her beloved husband Arch.