Marilyn Lenza, age 88 years, of Franklin Township, Hunterdon County, NJ, died peacefully on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Hunterdon Medical Center, Raritan Township, NJ, surrounded by her cherished family.

Born on May 14, 1937, in Belleville, NJ, the only child of the late Frank and Rosalie Lopinto Scara, Marilyn was raised and lived the majority of her life in Lyndhurst, NJ, until moving to Pittstown, NJ, to be closer to family and to help raise her cherished grandchildren more than thirty-one years ago.

Lyndhurst was a town where most people knew each other, and it would be in high school where Marilyn would finally meet and fall head over heels in love with Joseph N. Lenza, Jr., one of the “Lenza Boys”, whose father owned and operated the famous Joe’s Barber Shop on Stuyvesant Avenue.

It was in those hallowed halls of Lyndhurst High, where the two would court each other in the most romantic ways possible. Joe would actually hand-make his own cards for Marilyn for special occasions which she treasured. He would continue this trait for her and the entire family and his heartfelt cards were treasured by all. Whenever asked, Marilyn would always tell anyone that “her Joe” was a true gentleman from the beginning. The pair were married on June 2, 1957, at Sacred Heart Church in Lyndhurst, and celebrated sixty-three years of marriage just before Joe’s passing in 2020.

Their union was based on respect, compassion, love, and of course, family. Three daughters would be brought into the world from their marriage, and this only child suddenly found herself having a big family and loving it! This happiness would continue to grow as the next generations came into the world and made Marilyn a grandmother and great grandmother, of which she was most proud.

A hard worker, in addition to being a mother, Marilyn worked for over twenty-five years in the accounts payable department of White Rose Dairy, Carlstadt, NJ, where she was well regarded by her peers and the customers alike. This work also showed her daughters that they could do anything they put their minds to, and to always forge ahead towards their dreams.

A devout catholic, she and Joe were longtime members of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church, Lyndhurst, NJ, as well as St. Catherine of Siena Church, Pittstown, NJ. Their faith steadied the couple in all of life’s situations and allowed them to focus on ensuring they raised their family to appreciate all peoples, as all are created in God’s own image.

Strong-willed, Marilyn loved her “Wildwood Days” at the Jersey Shore with her family making memories that will surely last to eternity! She enjoyed traveling and whether it was Disney or Italy, Hawaii or Vegas, it did not matter as long as her family was around to enjoy it, and their smiles were her fuel to keep going throughout every situation. An Elvis aficionado, she loved to collect memorabilia and could often be heard singing an Elvis tune.

A ‘livewire’ in every sense of the word, she will especially be remembered for helping to raise her grandchildren. There was not a school function or event she missed, but the simple things, like taking a walk, swinging on swings, or baking Christmas cookies, are the things that will forever resonate in the hearts of her grandchildren. This is the essence and legacy of who Marilyn was, is and will always be: that loving with one’s whole heart and being “present” is the most important way to live this life.

In 1 John 3:18, it is written, “Let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth.” Marilyn showed her love by her actions, and though she was small in stature, she had one of the biggest hearts this world has even known. To honor Marilyn, is to love fiercely and to truly “live” the values that Christ taught during his walk of life. To be present for family, friends, and strangers alike. To be compassionate. To be selfless. To be appreciative. To listen. Do these things, and you will truly honor the memory of this most special human.

Surviving are her daughters and sons-in-law, Jodi and Anthony Greco, Sheri Lenza-Kugelman, and Toni and Anthony Wolak; her grandchildren and their spouses, Kristy and Paul Disimino, Anthony Greco, Michael and Jacqueline Greco, Gina Greco, Krystal MacDade, Loni Faraone, Joseph Wolak, and Kimberly Wolak; her great grandchildren, Rocco Disimino, Domenic Disimino, Kylie Greco, John Disimino, A.J. Greco, Salvatore Disimino, Joseph MacDade, Evan Brooks, and Dante Faraone; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Anthony and Florence Lenza; her three dogs, Sheba, Moose, and Maverick; several extended family members; and many dear friends.

Marilyn will lie in repose on Sunday, June 22, 2025, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

A Mass of Christian Burial officiated by Rev. Chester Zalubski, will take place on Monday, June 23, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 2 White Bridge Road, Pittstown, NJ. Everyone is kindly asked to meet directly at the church on Monday morning beginning at 10:15 a.m., and to follow the instructions of the Wright & Ford Care Team Family Ambassadors upon arrival for parking and cemetery cortege formation.

Burial will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, 316 Old Allerton Road, Annandale, NJ, and to which all are welcome.

You are encouraged to visit Marilyn’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to leave messages of condolence and share words of comfort and recollection.

Contributions in her honor and memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or CHOP-Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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