Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home

Maria Grace Cardinale-Rankine, 51, passed away in London, England, May14th, 2009 following a six year determined fight against cancer. Born in Belleville, NJ she has been living in central London for many years. Daughter of the late Frank M. and Eva E. (Bontempo) Cardinale, Maria had been working for the British Standards Institute in London for over 10 years, where she was a Auditor working in Quality Assurance and one of the very few Americans to have achieved this status. Previously, she worked as a project manager for a number of major British design groups, including working on a British Airways Concorde program amongst other prestigious accounts.

As a very keen Opera lover, she was on the Board of the American Friends of English National Opera, and regularly attended gala events, both in London and across Europe.

Surviving is her husband Angus Rankine, who is based at their family home in central London.

Funeral services for Maria Grace will be held Tuesday, May 27th, 2009 at 10:30 AM at Holy Family RC Church, Belleville, New Jersey. Visitation will be Monday, May 26th, 2009 from 2:00-4:00 PM and 7:00PM to 9:00PM at the Megaro Memorial Funeral Home, 503 Union Avenue, Belleville, New Jersey Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home, 156 Main Street, Newton, New Jersey 07860. In lieu of flowers for Maria, you are invited to help the Marsden continue their work by going to www.justgiving.com/mariagrace.