Obituary of Marian Rita Coley
Marian Rita Coley, 77, of Ringwood, New Jersey, passed away on a sunny Friday morning, November 20, 2020, from complications related to cancer. There will be no visitation. All arrangements are on hold until further notice. A celebration of life will be held in Marian’s honor when our current environment allows for free and unrestricted gatherings.
Marian was born on November 24th, 1942 in Paterson, New Jersey, to Joseph and Marion Terkmany. Her family moved to Torrance, California, when she was 3. In Torrance, she attended Nativity Catholic School. Her love of sweets led her to her first job behind the candy counter at a five and dime. In her youth, Marian had a passion for sports and was very athletic playing volleyball, basketball, and tennis. She enjoyed being in the garden and gardening with her Dad. Her favorite flowers were poppies, and she would roll and play in the poppy fields near her home. She later moved with her family to Sacramento where she took on a job with the local newspaper the Sacramento Bee.
Marian’s family returned to New Jersey in the in the early 60’s. At a church dance hall (St. Leo's in East Paterson - now Elmwood Park), she met Clark Coley, the love of her life, to whom she was married until she passed. Their daughter, Robin arrived in 1969, while Marian and Clark lived in Elmwood Park and their son, Clark, arrived in 1972, after the family moved to their home in Ringwood in 1971. Marian was a dedicated wife and mother with a generous heart and the desire to always give freely. Her favorite book was the Giving Tree. Her favorite song was You Are My Sunshine. As her children matured, Marian began working in the fashion industry managing Transportation Logistics Coordination for Salant Corporation.
Marian lived in the moment and loved music. She had a passion for children and animals. She loved the ocean and was a collector of memories via seashells, driftwood, and stones. Lake Tahoe was dear to her heart. She spent many vacations strolling the water’s edge and fishing. She liked to view our physical world as seen through a kaleidoscope with beauty and joy. She was known for spreading the blessing of a mother’s love to everyone she knew.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Clark; her children Robin and Clark (Patricia); her sisters Audrey Custodio (Sid) and Lori Gibbs (Jack); nephews Jason Marsh, Kevin Marsh, Joseph Sutherland, and Michael Sutherland; her nieces Devin Sutherland and Annie Sutherland; and her beloved granddaughter Madeline Coley.
Marian was preceeded in death by her youngest sister Doreen Sutherland (Dean).
If you would like to donate in Marian’s honor, her favorite charity was St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/give/memorials-and-dedications.html
