Mary Margaret Chapman Caruso, 86, of Brigantine NJ passed away on October 4 ^th , 2021. She was born in Philadelphia on March 15th, 1935, to the late John and Verda Wilma "Robinson" Chapman.

Mary was the loving wife of Richard Caruso for 71 years. She attended Nazareth Academy high school in Philadelphia where she first met Richard at a school dance when she was 14.

Mary's personal and professional accomplishments are particularly noteworthy having spent time in an orphanage during World War II. It was there her love of reading was born. She would sit out on the fire escape and read books. Historical fiction was her favorite. She loved stories about faraway places and later, when she was able to travel, she went to every continent with her husband, Richard. She sometimes traveled with her entire family in tow. Among her favorites were the countries of Egypt, and India, as well as the entire regions of Europe and the Middle East. She also enjoyed cruises in most recent years.

Mary was a devoted mother to the late Richard Caruso II, and their daughter Celeste (Celeste Caruso Purpura). She generously gave of her time as a troop leader and chaperone at school events even as she navigated her own successful business and supported her husband's as well.

Mary's astute business acumen and strong sense of style made her a force in the local fashion industry. Having identified couture as a keen interest of her clients, Mary traveled to NYC as well as the couture houses in Paris and Milan to bring the latest to her business. Mary met with designers in their showrooms, seeing preliminary as well as finished sketches. Word soon spread and her store was quickly attracting women from all over the tristate area. At Caruso of Elkins Park Couture, Mary would style her clients from head to toe.

She managed the bookings and finances for her husband Richard's hair salon. Richard won many national and international hair styling competitions, with Mary as his model. Mary was integral in the family's international manufacturing business, Caruso International. "My mother was always a force in the family and in business. She was as generous and kind. She helped everyone advance," said Celeste Caruso Purpura, her daughter. "Her innate sweetness always shone through. She always saw the good in people."

Mary is predeceased by her son Richard Bruce Caruso II. She is survived by her husband, Richard, and her siblings, John Zdeb (Marian), Frederick Zdeb (Rosemarie), Peggy Earo (nee Zdeb) and Thomas Zdeb (Diana). Mary is also survived by her loving daughter Celeste Caruso Purpura (Dr. Samuel Purpura Jr.), daughter-in-law Mimi Caruso (nee Lieberher). She is lovingly known as Grandmere by her grandchildren: Candice Caruso (Cesar Rucker), Richard B. Caruso III (Melanie Caruso), and Salvatore Caruso (Whitni Caruso) as well as Tiffany Purpura; her great grandchildren are Dominique Rucker and Richard B. Caruso IV.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to St. Jude's Hospital for Children or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

The funeral services will be held Monday, October 18, 2021, at 11 AM EST at Kirk & Nice Funeral Home. The viewing is from 11-12; service is from 12 and internment to follow at Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Huntingdon Valley, PA.