Plant a tree in memory of Marianne
An environmentally friendly option
Loading...
T
The Sweezys posted a condolence
Rest in Peace Marianne.
“You can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back,
or you can open your eyes and see all she's left. Your heart can be empty because you can't see her, or you can be full of the love you shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember her only that she is gone,
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back.
Or you can do what she'd want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.â€
L
Lisa Weindel posted a condolence
Our family sends our thoughts and love. I met Marianne through Shannon during our time at Rider and many family functions there after. She was am amazing woman.
R
Robert posted a condolence
Marianne was a truly kind and gentle person. In all of my memories I see her smiling face and she always had something sweet to say. I remember spending many beautiful summer days with her and the boys poolside at my in-laws house. Our daughter Amelia loved playing and splashing around the pool with Brian. She was such a loving mother and friend. I will miss her tremendously.
J
Joanne McClain posted a condolence
Marianne was as brave, strong and loyal as they come. She was a genuine inspiration to family, friends and even acquaintances. Brian and Steven are blessed to have her as their loving mother. Rest in peace, Marianne.
T
The Ruta's posted a condolence
Marianne was one of the strongest women we had the pleasure of spending our special times with. Her hearty laugh and smile will never be forgotten. She will be missed and the Wolfsohn/Handel functions will not be the same without her. We love you, Mar, and we know you are now at peace. You touched us and will will miss you.
T
The Maffey Family posted a condolence
Our thought and prayers are with the Gentoso Family. May the love she had for you help you get through this difficult time.
D
Debbie Owens posted a condolence
Marianne was an earth angel who brought forth love, light and healing through the amazing sons she gave to all of us. She was entrusted with so much ~ she fulfilled all of her life purpose ~ and all of creation has been blessed by her gifts. For all of this I give thanks.
K
Kathy Blake posted a condolence
Wish I could be there with you.My husband Don , is going in for surgery. Would have loved to see you all again. Marianne was one brave lady and we will miss her.
D
Debbie Vaughn posted a condolence
I met your mom by working at Curves in Basking Ridge. It was always a great time when she came in making us laugh with her BIG smile. We would always talk about our children and families. She was a strong woman and she loves you and was always proud of her boys. It was an honor to have known her, I regret not seeing her often after I left Curves. Please know you are in my prayers. Marianne rest in peace.
S
Shannon Wolfsohn posted a condolence
The Eulogy
Anyone who knew Marianne will never forget her laugh, her infectious smile, her red lips, her kind heart, and her shoe collection. I don't think any of us will ever be able to look at lemon cake or smell Oscar de Lorento perfume without remembering Marianne.
Marianne lived her life for her family and her friends but it was her boys that she fought for. Steven and Brian were the loves of her life. She was so proud of them. Looking back through the years of pictures I realized that Brian and Steven were always by her side, holding her and loving her. And until the end that's where they were by her side holding her hand and taking care of their mom.
Marianne was diagnosed with cancer 5 years ago, although if you saw her you would never know she was sick. She was so strong and so brave. It wasn’t until a few months ago that the cancer became stronger than her, and even then she still put up a good fight. But now Marianne is finally out of pain. Finally free again. Free to walk, free to dance, free to shop and free to just live in heaven with no worries.
Marianne was a friend, a sister, an aunt, and a mother. She was whatever role she needed to be for the people she loved in her life. She had so much love to give that when my brother sister and I lost our mother she gladly took on the role of mom for us too, just like she had done for Michael and Jimmy when they were young. I always had a hard time picking out cards for Marianne because none of them seemed special enough. she wasn't just and aunt to me she was my friend, my sister, my aunt and my mom all wrapped up in the best package I could have ever asked for.
Marianne also prided herself on being the smartest one in our family. Her favorite day of the week was Sunday when her New York Times crossword puzzle came out. Every holiday was made more special by her extra touches. It was either a special dish of food prepared with precision and care, her cut out phrases of Jell-O jigglers, buying the largest chocolate bunny for the kids on Easter, her perfect wrapping job with the most beautiful paper or always finding the best gifts to give that put all the others to shame. But putting all material things a side, everyday was more special because she was here.
I wanted to take the time to thank everyone here. You all played a special part in Marianne's life. Her friends at Budd Larner, the church group that made meals for her, friends that brought her to chemo, Monsignor Capik that guided her spiritually, the nurses and doctors from the hospital that took such good care of her, her wonderful friends from Basking Ridge that were there for her everyday and her friends and family that shared a lifetime of wonderful memories with her.
I also want to thank Marianne. Mar from all of us sitting in this church today, thank you for touching our lives and making them brighter. You were an inspiration to us all and you have left a spot in all of our hearts that will never be forgotten. I love you and I will miss you every day of my life.
And now the only thing left to do is to pass on her good will, sense of humor and love every day of our lives. And if you can, celebrate her life by following her motto – Sing, Dance, and wear red lipstick.
B
Barbara London posted a condolence
With only 9 years between us, I never really felt that Marianne was my aunt. She was more like a more grown up silly friend, and I have so many good memories of her.
One of my most favorite memories of Marianne is of her cleaning my Grandfather's house while babysitting my brother Robert and me. I was 5 or 6 and she would give me piggy back rides while she vacuumed the house and sing, "Batman, doobie doo batman" all around the house.
Marianne knew every word to every TV show song ever made. Whether it was The Flintstones, The Brady Bunch or The Partridge Family, she would have us singing right along with her and laughing the whole time.
When I was around 4 years old we went to my Grandparent's for Easter. I was all dressed up with my fancy dress, tights, etc. As I got out of the car, Marianne came running and my Mother told her not to run with me. Marianne grabbed my hand and, of course, we ran. I ended up falling, putting a hole in my tights and getting a bloody knee. Poor Marianne got in trouble that day, and I felt so bad for her, but she took it in stride and we laughed about this often as adults.
When I got to be a teenager, Marianne took me out one day to shop and have lunch. She taught me everything I would ever need to know about buying silk print dresses. To this day, I can't look at one without thinking of her.
As I began wearing makeup and perfume, she bought me my very first bottle of Oscar De Lorento perfume for Christmas one year and made sure I knew about Chanel makeup.
My 7-year-old daughter, Rachel, found her Great-Aunt Marianne to be one of the funniest people she ever met. My 13-year-old daughter, Autumn, was mesmerized by Marianne's beauty and brains. I am so glad that they all got to know and love each other.
No one on this earth has ever had a better laugh than Marianne, and I will miss her and it forever.
J
Jim Fraynert posted a condolence
I probably knew Marianne longer than most of you right from when I first met Roberta. Marianne was a cute little girl with these chubby little legs and this special little giggle. I bought Roberta a Hummel figurine many years ago of a little girl with these chubby legs reading a book which was, as I remember, Marianne always with a book. I watched Marianne grow from a chubby little kid to a beautiful young lady and then a mother of two fine young men. When she was little I remember sitting on the floor with her & we were coloring together in a coloring book. “How did you learn to color so good?†she asked me. “I went to coloring college†I told her & I think she believed me for all of 5 minutes! She was a rambunctious little girl & I remember her jumping on me at a family picnic & knocking me over sideways breaking one of her father’s aluminum lawn chairs. That mad big points with me & my father-in-law! We would take her with us on various day trips and she was always asking “what are we going to do next?†She was always looking ahead. I remember teaching her to drive. She was good and she was smart. I have a feeling that the next time we see her; she will welcome us with that PATENTED GIGGLE and say, “well, what took you so long?†Can’t wait!
K
Kathy Cella posted a condolence
Stephen, Brian & family,
My heart goes out to you. I really dont know what to say as it wont change anything. I was away when your mom passed or I would have been at the service. For this I am sorry & know my thoughts & prayers were with you when my mom called me. It is hard to think of this world without her, as she has been a part of my life since we were little kids. Another world has been given a gift & I look forward to seeing her again one day. Until then, I will remember her outrageous laugh & talk to her in my prayers.I will send prayers your way also & hope you find peace. I love you & your mom always. xo kathy
K
Kathy Cella posted a condolence
Hey Mar, I will think of you always & everytime I hear Tom Jones I will laugh & see your beautiful smile. I hope someday I too will be able to do the NY Times crossword in ink, although I doubt it ! You are an inspiration & always will be. Marianne, you will be missed but never forgotten old friend. Godspeed, love kathy xo
R
Roberta Fraynert posted a condolence
To my beloved sister Marianne, I miss you so very much! Being the oldest, I am lucky to have had the longest memory of you! From the first days of your life, I knew you were going to be a force to deal with and I learned that first hand. I will never forget the first time mom & dad had to go someplace right after you were born, I was 13-1/2 and you were my first babysitting experience with an infant. I was scared but sure I could handle this, after all our sister Joan was such a good little girl, I just assumed you would be the same. Boy was I in for it!! You were in a bassinet and now that I am older & wiser realize that you were very angry, because you screamed from the moment they left until they returned and I was crushed! I soon found out that you weren’t going to be a placid human being. I remember when you were just walking, if something made you angry, you just sat down and banged your feet on the ground. From a very young age, you knew what you wanted! You were also such a fun loving, joking child who loved to make people laugh and what a laugh. I used to love to tell you stories of my granddaughter Rachel, just to hear that wonderful hoot of a laugh! Watching you grow into the beautiful woman you became was a joy. I can see Marianne in both Steven & Brian, they have her good looks, brains, kindness & sense of humor. She was, as I am, so very proud of them! You truly cared about people and it showed by the way people cared about you! I was really blessed and lucky enough to have not 1, but 2 beautiful sisters and there is now such an empty void. I am so very sad beyond words to have lost both of you in such a tragic way! The only solace I have is that you are both together with mom & dad and waiting for the rest of us. I have so many more memories that I will keep close to my heart as you will be forever in my heart and my prayers.
J
Joanne Mamary posted a condolence
When I think back on my friendship with Marianne I remember how people would always ask us if we were sisters. This always made us look at each other and laugh. Marianne standing 5’10†and me 5’2â€. Marianne would always tell them that she got “the big genes†in the family and me the small. Well, Marianne did everything big. She had the biggest smile, the biggest laughter, she gave the biggest and best gifts; but most of all she had the biggest heart.
Marianne and I did a lot together. Whether it was going to a basketball, football, or baseball game to see the boys play or just to a movie on the weekends Marianne would always drive. She told me she could get me anywhere in New Jersey in a half hour and most of the time she did. She loved getting behind the wheel and just taking control and going places.
One place Marianne didn’t get the chance to go to was to see the play Wicked. She had wanted to but wasn’t well enough. Thinking about the play there is a song called, “For Goodâ€.
“I’ve Heard It Said
That People Come Into Our Lives For A Reason
Bringing Something We Must Learn
And We Are Lead
To Those Who Help Us Most To Grow
If We Let Them
And We Help Them In Return
Well, I Don’t Know If I Believe That’s True
But I Know I’m Who I Am Today
Because I knew You…
It Well May Be
That We Will Never Meet Again
In This Lifetime
So Let Me Say Before We Part
So Much Of Me
Is Made Of What I Learned From You
You’ll Be With Me
Like A Handprint On My Heart
And Now Whatever Way Our Stories End
I Know You Have Rewritten Mine
By Being My Friend
Who Can Say If I've Been Change For The Better?
But Because I Knew You...
I Have Been Changed For Good..."
I do believe that Marianne has touched all our lives for the good.
M
Mary Anne Bennett posted a condolence
I am shocked and saddened by Marianne's passing. I will always remember our many laughs as St. James moms. She was the best.
S
Susan Schlichting posted a condolence
Marianne and I became friends fifteen years ago, introduced by our beloved and wise pastor who thought we might need each other. What followed was a friendship that shared our lives’ ups and downs on an almost daily basis. I like to remember only our good times together.
Mar’s personality, sense of humor, and laugh were bigger than life. She could eat an entire meal without having to reapply her signature red lipstick. We had our own personal shopper at Nordstrom’s shoe department and kept her business card in our wallets. (And yes, Joanne, she always drove us to the mall because she said only she could find the parking spot by the door). We loved sharing answers to the NY Times Sunday puzzle, floating in the pool, talking about our kids, and dancing to Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.â€
Before Marianne went to work at Budd Larner, she would arrive at the rectory where I worked every afternoon, with Dunkin’ Donuts coffee, and entertain us. Years later she would entertain everyone at the Carol Simon Cancer Center and bring her trademark sunshine and smile to all who needed it.
A couple of months ago, Marianne asked me what I was going to do when she died. Well Mar, I don’t know what to do. I’m so sad, and wishing I could pick up the phone and call you. I’d thank you for all the years of fun memories, years of loyal friendship, and generosity of spirit. I’d tell you again how brave and beautiful you were. And I’d thank you for loving me (because if Marianne loved you, you absolutely knew it and she never let you forget it). So, farewell dear friend. You were the best and I will miss you . . . until we can talk and dance together again.
E
Ellen Sorensen posted a condolence
I haven't written before now because everytime I sat down here, so many things came to my mind that I just didn't know where to begin..i would think,how could I possibly put a lifetime of knowing and loving Marianne into words, let alone, a few paragraphs? I still can't believe you are gone, Mare, and I miss you so much. In a way though, you will always be here, because you really are a part of me, just as you are to all of us who loved you. Part of who I am is because of you, it has to be, after all our years together! I can't talk to you like we used to, but when I need your advise, or have to talk, I know you are there, , and I probably already know what you would say!
In thinking about memories to share with everyone, our Girl Scout adventures come to
mind! I will never forget our "camping" trip and those flannel pajamas that you just had to have! I remember how you loved Miss Mc Pherson in 2nd grade, "sooo sweet", you would always say when we talked about her..and you thought she was so beautiful! I am sure that she loved you too! And then, how traumatic it was when we were separated for 6th grade! I can still see you sitting at your desk when I waved to you from the hallway! We cried at times together, but laughed together, too. How can I forget the two of us chasing Michael around the dining room table, Total cereal, or the bolt coming out of the milk bottle at breakfast, oh, and arguing in your bedroom about what to play..your Tom Jones,or my Who album!? Sleepovers were always an adventure, your house, or mine, we still mangaged to get in trouble with someone! And no-one could tickle like you could..you were so strong, it was really torture!! I will always remember how nervous you got each time I had to back out of the driveway! (I only hit it once!) Later, we chose different high schools and colleges, but still stayed close..I remember when you were studying for your CPA exam, you said you would come over, "just for a little while", and we ended up getting totally absorbed in a movie, you didn't leave until almost midnight! Our lives took us in different directions at times, but never for long, and we always found our way back to each other. Mare, I really can't remember a time when I didn't know you, and never, ever, did I imagine my life without you. I thought you would always be there, just as you always were. But all of these memories help, and I remind mysef now how lucky I was to have you in my life for as long as I did, and I thank
God for blessing me with you.
Steven and Brian, I remember as each of you were born, how proud your Mom was to show you off, especially in those beautiful baby outfits!
I watched your Mom grow from a sweet, adorable little girl into the beautiful, intelligent, strong,funny, and loving Mom that you were blessed to have, and I want you to know how much you, and all of your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I think of all of you often!!
Mare, Thank you for being my friend. I love you and will miss you...
L
Lucille Wolfsohn posted a condolence
Hey Mar,
I cannot belive you are not with us anymore. I remember when Shannon & Billy wanted our families to meet. Well, it didn't take long at all before we were all so connected and became like one big family which we were so thankful for. I think back to when you and Bill would tease each other to the point of hysteria. I can't imagine heaven right now with the two of you there together. You were not just Shannon's aunt you became my good friend. We shared many laughs and heartaches together. You were so strong and amazing and I remember how we helped each other through our difficult times. I will always remember all the good times we had at Billy and Shannons family parties or just hanging out together playing with the kids and having our long talks. Every year we went to the Italian Feast in Lodi eating sausage & pepper sandwiches putting the kids on rides and then getting dozens of zeppoles and all of us going back to my house enjoying them with coffee. You always made a comment how my lipstick never stayed on and I always was re-applying. You told me to go to Bloomingdales and buy this expensive lipstick that would not come off. Well, how we laughed because I scrubbed by lips for two days to get the lipstick off. Maybe we did not know each other a lifetime but I will always remember the laughter, the memories and how I found a wonderful friend. Thanks for the memories Mar. I will miss you. Love, Lu