Marilyn Martenak

Marilyn Martenak, 88, passed peacefully on 31 December 2024 at her home in Houston TX with her family by her side. She was born and raised in Laurence Harbor NJ, but lived most of her adult life in Pennington, NJ, before retiring to Waretown NJ, Barnegat NJ, and finally Houston, TX. Marilyn was the youngest of three daughters of the late Gordon and Helen Menk. 

She was predeceased by her loving husband of 44 years, Joseph Martenak, her brother-in-law Robert Martenak, and her sisters, Barbara Skarzynski and Jeanne Polinski.  She is survived by her sister-in-law Maryann Martenak of Monroe Township, NJ, her three sons and their wives, Dan and Janet Martenak of Perkasie, PA, Tom and Colleen Martenak of Houston, TX, and Jack and Karen Martenak of Lanoka Harbor, NJ, her five grandchildren, Lindsay, Allison, Corinne, Jon, and Michael, and her 10 wonderful great grandchildren whom she adored.

Marilyn graduated from St. Mary’s High School in South Amboy, NJ, in 1954. She then worked at Exxon Research in Linden, NJ before taking off to raise her three children. Twenty five years later she returned to school and earned an Associate’Degree in Accounting from Mercer County College, after which she went to work in the Medical Department at Mobil Research in Pennington for over 12 years.

Marilyn loved to travel, visiting many countries from England to Australia, but her favorite place by far was Ireland. She visited the Emerald Isle many times, including to visit her grandson Michael while he was studying abroad at Trinity College in Dublin.  But her greatest joy was spending time spoiling her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a long time communicant at St. James RC Church in Pennington, NJ and later at St. Mary’s RC Church in Barnegat, NJ, She was an active member at St. Mary’s Parish, often working in the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry with her sister Barbara, and generously supporting Catholic missionary work in Africa.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 10, 2024 from 9 to 11 AM at Barnegat Funeral Home, 841 West Bay Ave., Barnegat, NJ. Mass offered 11:30 AM at St. Mary's Church, Barnegat. Interment to follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Manahawkin.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the St. Vincent Depaul Food Pantry at St. Mary’s Church in Barnegat.

(www.BarnegatFH.com)

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