Margaret “Margie” Wagerik, age 67, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 29, 2025, at St. Peter’s Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ, surrounded by her loving husband, Michael, daughter, Mary, and son-in-law, David, after a courageous yearlong battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

Born and raised in Elizabeth, NJ, Margie lived there for 30 years before moving to Bridgewater in 1988. When married, she settled in Green Brook, where she lived for the past 30 years.

Margie grew up in Elizabeth above her father’s G & M Market, attended Catholic school, and graduated from Mother Seton Regional High School. She worked for nearly two decades at the former National State Bank of Elizabeth, where she met her husband, Michael. They married in 1989 and welcomed their beloved daughter, Mary, in 1995.

A devoted wife and mother, Margie chose to stay home to cherish every moment of Mary’s childhood. Once Mary was in school, she worked for PEP Club for 18 years as a children’s birthday party coordinator and assisted in children’s enrichment classes and summer camp in Warren until her retirement in 2020. Here Margie had the opportunity to meet many special families for whom she lovingly provided personal childcare at their homes, forming lasting bonds with the children and friendships with their parents. In her retirement, she enjoyed loving and spoiling her family dog, Paisley, over the last four years.

She was a communicant of Blessed Sacrament Church in Martinsville. Margie’s mother instilled in her a lifelong devotion to the Blessed Mother, even naming her only daughter after her. She watched multiple Masses and prayed the rosary faithfully every day. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life, especially throughout her illness. Her family was the center of her world being the foundation of her love, strength, and unwavering support. One of Margie's greatest joys was witnessing and helping to plan her daughter Mary’s wedding in June 2025, a day she fought hard to attend and lovingly called her “best day ever.”

Margie and her family are greatly appreciative for the compassionate care provided by the “angels” at Astera Cancer Care, RWJ-New Brunswick oncology, St. Peter’s Hospital oncology, and especially their radiology team. 

Margie was predeceased by her parents, George Lippai in 1997 and Margaret Lippai in 2012. 

She is survived by her devoted husband of 36 years, Michael Wagerik; her daughter, Mary, and son-in-law, David Hlubik; her siblings, Nancy Yablonski (Michael), Thomas G. Lippai (Carol), and Chris Logothetis (Steve); along with her niece, nephews, and grandnieces and nephews, who lovingly refer to her as “Ciocia” (aunt in Slovak).

Margie was always adamant about receiving her annual health screenings, and we encourage all who cared about her to follow her example and be proactive about their health. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Margie’s honor to organizations advancing the research, early detection, and treatment of pancreatic cancer, including:

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center [LINK]

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network [LINK]

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