Mary Elizabeth Reilly, age 96 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at home, with her cherished family by her side and under the caring watch of Hunterdon Hospice.

Born on October 11, 1925, in New York City, NY, Mary was the daughter of the late Dominick and Margaret Gotthardt DeMarco. Raised in Brooklyn, NY, Mary had lived in Uniondale, NY, Middlesex, NJ, and Monetta, VA, prior to moving in with her daughter, Linda, and her family eight years ago.

The gospel singer Mahalia Jackson once said, “Faith and prayer are the vitamins of the soul; man cannot live in health without them.” Growing up in an Italian/German Catholic home, Mary got her dose of faith and prayer as a child, and it shaped her persona to become the loving and compassionate soul that all knew her to be.

Meeting her future husband, James, during their teenage years, their love blossomed over time and would eventually see them join hands in holy matrimony on September 9, 1951, at St. Matthew’s Church, Brooklyn, NY. Truly each other’s best friend, Mary and James will be forever remembered by their compatibility and joy when one was around the other. They would always be found holding hands wherever they went, and of course dancing a waltz whenever the opportunity arose, or simply just because! Their love was inspirational to their two daughters, Elizabeth and Linda, who each felt that their parents instilled in them an understanding of what a marriage should be truly about; sadly, James died in 2000 just two months shy of their fiftieth anniversary.

Though missing James fiercely, Mary’s catholic faith foundation allowed her to keep living life, doing God’s good works daily. She was a devoted mother and grandmother and enjoyed helping to raise her three grandsons who proudly elevated her to ‘Great Grandma’ with two great granddaughters of which she was usually boasting about with immense pride, and of course, immense love.

Always smiling, Mary’s mantra in life was encouraging others to have fun and cherish each moment. She did not just talk the talk but was a living example of this ideal; she spent as much time as she could with family and friends, celebrating everything just because she could! Christmastime at her home was legendary, and there was not a St. Patrick’s Day where she and her pets were not decked out in green from head to toe. Everyone used to joke that Italian/German Mary DeMarco, upon becoming Mary Reilly, was now 100% Irish.

With her Italian/German heritage and her husband’s Irish family teaching her, Mary was well-rooted in phenomenal cooking skills and her family and friends were always the recipients of many amazing specialties. Mealtime was family time, and the memories created around the dining room table will never be forgotten.

A longtime communicant and member of the Rosary Altar Society at Our Lady of Mt. Virgin Church, Middlesex, NJ, Mary was also a longtime communicant of St. Magdalen Church, Flemington, NJ. She had a special love and tender affection for the Blessed Mother and prayed the rosary daily as she sought intercessions for family, friends, and the community of the world; there was no one Mary would not pray for in a truly heartfelt and special way.

Having many hobbies, Mary first and foremost enjoyed vacations with her family, especially if a beach was involved. If Atlantic City, NJ, and the slot machines were nearby, that was always a bonus! She was a devoted New York Yankees fan with Paul O’Neill and Derek Jeter receiving many of her daily prayers. Her passion for helping others to promote their own well-being was evidenced by her being a poll worker for many years. She always reminded people that everyone must exercise their right to vote as it was a sacred right that sadly, not all people have access to utilize.  She also enjoyed knitting, bowling and was a member of the Red Hats, Middlesex, NJ.

Mother, now Saint Teresa, once wrote, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” To honor Mary is to remember that we are all God’s children and that we are here to do His will with the beauty that He has created and inspired in each one of us. This begins with daily prayer and affirmation of the love we have for one another and ends with the thankful and grateful heart brought on by that prayer. To pray daily, is to keep Mary alive until we are all joined together again, in that place where there is no pain or suffering, but only light, peace, and hope.

In addition to her mother in 1996, her father in 1980, and husband in 2000, Mary was preceded in death by her sisters, Elsie DeMarco in 1992 and Barbara Rasmussen in 1995; her brother, Michael DeMarco in 1988; and her very special canine companion, Sadie, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge on January 11^th of this year and who surely was waiting for ‘Grandma’ when Mary made her heavenly transition.

Surviving are her two daughters and sons-in-law, Elizabeth and Thomas Tarlazzi and Linda and George Benz; her grandchildren and their spouses, Mark and Kristin Tarlazzi, Geoffrey and Kristine Benz, and Gregory and Rachel Benz; her step grandchildren, Rebecca Tarlazzi and Michael Tarlazzi and his wife, Emily; her great granddaughters, Mark’s daughter, Izabella Tarlazzi and Geoff’s daughter, Aria Benz; her step great grandson, Max Sczcepaniak; her brother-in-law, Wayne Rasmussen; several nieces, nephews and extended family; and many friends made as her outgoing personality traveled throughout God’s path.

Mary will lie in repose on Sunday, April 3, 2022, from 1:00-4:00 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 celebrated by Rev. John Barbella will take place on Monday, April 4, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Magdalen Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ. Everyone is kindly asked to meet directly at the church on Monday morning beginning at 10:15 a.m. Wright & Ford Life Celebration Care Team Family Ambassadors will direct you upon arrival.

Following mass, Mary will be laid to rest in the family plot at Bound Brook Cemetery, 500 Mountain Avenue, Bound Brook, NJ, 08805, and to which all are welcome.

You are encouraged to visit Mary’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.

For those who wish to honor Mary with a contribution in her honor, please do so to the charity of your choice. Knowing we all are touched by many different things during our travels down life’s path, Mary would be most comfortable knowing that you donated to something that affects your life for the better.

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