Obituary of Marie T. Merkel

Marie T. (Tortorello) Merkel, age 93, died on Sunday, January 30, 2011, at McAuley Hall Healthcare in Watchung. Born in Newark, she was raised in Hillside from 1917-1957, she moved to Union from 1957-1973, moved back to Hillside until 1998 then to New Providence until moving to McAuley Hall in January of 2006. Marie was a member and volunteer at the Friends of the Library in Hillside, past President of the PTA at Calvin Coolidge Elementary School in Hillside during the mid 1950's. A member of the Hillside and New Providence Senior Citizens. Enjoyed gardening and was an avid reader. Loved spending time with her family. Predeceased by her husband Henry Merkel in 1972. Surviving is her son Richard H. Merkel and his wife JoAnn of Union; daughter Arlene Mullery and her husband James of Stroudsburg, PA; 4 grandchildren Melinda Hanlon, James Mullery, Victoria Nauta and Richard Merkel, Jr.; 4 Great-grandchildren Jonathan Hanlon, Sarah Mullery, Grace Mullery and Samantha McKoy. Funeral Services will be on Friday, February 4th at 9:00 am at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung. A Mass of Resurrection will follow at 10:00 am at St. Mary's Stony Hill Church, Watchung. Interment will follow at Graceland Memorial Park Cemetery, Kenilworth. Visitation is on Thursday, February 3rd from 2-4 & 7-9 pm. Donations can be made to: Sisters of Mercy c/o McAuley Hall, 1633 Rt. 22 West, Watchung, NJ 07069.