Obituaries

Store owner Marie Louise “Marilou” Finan of Manasquan died at home on Wednesday, Oct. 1 after a long, valiant, strong-willed battle with ovarian cancer.

She was 65 years old.

Her business and life partner, Danielle Stanley, was at her side.

Born in Newark and raised in Maplewood, Marilou was educated at St. Leo’s School, Irvington, Marylawn of the Oranges High School, South Orange, the College of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station area of Morris Township, and William Paterson State College, Paterson, where she received her master’s degree in education.

Marilou excelled in every career endeavor. Starting as a Sister of Charity, she taught at St. Lucy’s School in Jersey City and later at St. Paul’s Catholic School, Ramsey.

Her sales career began as a sales representative for Scott Foresman Publishing and continued with Degnan Real Estate in the Millburn/Short Hills area, where she was an early member of the Million Dollar Sales Club.

Bursting the glass ceiling in boat sales, Marilou won awards for $2 and $4 million sales years with Shark River Marina and Shore Marine during the 1980s.

In 1991, Marilou, with her friend Lorraine Kerr, launched The Gathering Basket in Manasquan, which then became Gatherings in the building she bought and renovated in 2002.

Marilou served on the board of directors for Rahway Savings Bank and was a proud member of the Manasquan Chamber of Commerce.

A beloved member of Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Manasquan, Marilou was predeceased by her parents, Marie and Oliver A. Finan, Sr., her brother, Oliver A. Finan, Jr., and her niece, Gail Morrison.

Marilou is survived by her brothers: Paul A. Finan and his wife, Teddy, of Charlotte, N.C.; and Bernard B. and Gael Finan of Neptune. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Lorraine D. Finan of Tinton Falls and many nieces and nephews: Robert and Diane Finan; Denise A. Finan; Lisa Finan McDonald and her husband, Edward; Mathew Finan; Maura Finan Yale and her husband, Wes; Thomas Finan and his wife, Elizabeth; Sheila Finan; Christopher and Regina Finan.

Marilou also leaves cousins — Dolores Barrett, the Reverend John Baron, Patsianne Nebel, and Albert Baron — many second cousins, and so many people she embraced with her heart. There are few lives she encountered that she did not touch.

A great friend and mentor to many, she was Marilou: sister, niece, “cuz,” aunt, “Ru Ru” and the life of the party wherever she went. She was blessed with a formidable life force, a fearless drive to succeed, an unmatched sense of humor, a generous spirit, and a steadfast commitment to the people she loved in her life.

She will be missed, but more importantly, remembered.

Funeral services were held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Manasquan. Committal will be private.

Donations may be made to: Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation, P.O. Box 1124, Madison, 07940, as well as to the VNA of Monmouth.

Spring Lake Heights resident Genevieve Florence Dodd Range passed away Monday, Oct. 6 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.

She was 95 years old.

Genevieve had been employed as the executive secretary to the dean of orthodontics at Columbia Presbyterian University Hospital in New York City for 10 years. She had also been the secretary to the publicity director of the College of Mount St. Vincent and the assistant to the registrar at Manhattan College, also in New York City.

She was a proud New Yorker for 65 years. She graduated with honors from St. Augustine’s Grammar School in Brooklyn and attended Roosevelt High School in the Bronx.

Gen was an inspirational and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was an avid swimmer and walker and could be seen walking around the lake in Spring Lake with her favorite pet, Lucy. She was known and loved by many of the town’s merchants.

Gen was loved by her family, friends and by the friends of her children. She was an enthusiastic and rabid Yankee fan who cheered Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Phil Rizzuto and Derek Jeter. Gen loved the Sisters of Charity and was deeply grateful to them for her education and the education of her children and her grandchildren.

Her love of life, people, music and nature was inspirational.

Born in New York City, she had resided in the Riverdale section of the Bronx for 65 years, then in Asbury Park before moving to Spring Lake Heights in 1994. She was a devoted parishoner of St. Margaret’s Parish in Riverdale for 40 years, and a life member of the Asbury Park Elks Lodge.

She was predeceased by her parents, William and Mary McGrail Dodd, her husband, Walter R. Range in 1989, her siblings — William and Thomas Dodd, Anna Ford, Mary Rausch, and Grace Mueller — and her son-in-law John J. Byrne.

Surviving are her devoted daughters: Adele Byrne, of Brielle; and Arlene McDonald and her husband, Patrick, of Spring Lake.

She is also survived by eight beloved grandchildren: John, Beth, Peter, Matthew, Patrick, Wally, Marc, and David.

She leaves 13 great-grandchildren: Seton, Caitlin, Grace, Quintin, Chloe, Genevieve, Thomas, Peter, James, Kathleen, Jackson, Julianna, and Evie.

Relatives and friends are invited to call today, Thursday, Oct. 9, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the O’Brien Funeral Home on Highway 35 at New Bedford Road in Wall Township. This will be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, Oct. 10 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Catharine’s Church in Spring Lake. Entombment will be in St. Catharine’s Cemetery in Sea Girt.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be sent to Peaceworks-Musameco at 701 Third Avenue, Spring Lake, 07762, or to the College of Mount St. Vincent’s Development Office at 6301 Riverdale Avenue, Riverdale, N.Y. 10471 in her memory.

William Bryan McCarthy, Manasquan, died on Friday, Oct. 3 at the Meridian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Brick.

He was 90 years old.

Mr. McCarthy was the owner and operator of the New Atlantic Hotel in Spring Lake and owner of William B. McCarthy Real Estate, also in Spring Lake. He retired 35 years ago from his post as a fifth-grade teacher in Jackson Township.

Born in Jersey City, Mr. McCarthy was the seventh of nine children born to John A. and Eileen McCarthy. He attended St. Paul’s Elementary School and St. Aloysius High School in Jersey City where he excelled in sports as captain of the basketball, baseball and tennis teams.

Bill, as he preferred to be known, graduated in 1941 from Fordham University in the Bronx and then immediately entered the U.S. Army during World War II where he served for four years. Mr. McCarthy became a member of the Office of Strategic Services [OSS] in Washington, D.C. and held the rank of captain at the time of his discharge in 1945.

He then settled in Spring Lake for 12 years. In 1957, he moved to Sea Girt, where he lived until he relocated to Manasquan eight years ago. He was a communicant of St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Church in Sea Girt and was a member of the Old Timers Tennis Association in Spring Lake.

Surviving are his loving wife of 62 years, Elizabeth McCarthy, formerly Elizabeth Austin, and five sons and their spouses: Bryan W. and Dolores of Mill Valley, Calif., Robert A. and Suzanne of Port Charlotte Fla., Sean E. and Susan of Sea Girt, Mark F. and Kimberly of Stuart, Fla., and Michael J. and Diane of Sea Girt. Mr. McCarthy also leaves four daughters and their spouses: Kathryn M. McCarthy and her late husband, David Blanchard, of New York City; Jean M. and Albert DeCharleroy of Great Falls, Va.; Claire L. McCarthy and David Roden of Manasquan; Meeghan McCarthy and Richard Dumas of New Rochelle, N.Y.

Also surviving are 16 grandchildren: Nathan, Jeanette, Kristin, Robert, Sean, Kelly, Gregory, Olivia, Vanessa, William, Ian, Arielle, Austin, Christianne, Autumn, and Matthew. He also leaves 6 great-grandchildren. All of his brothers and sisters predeceased him.

Entombment took place at St. Catharine’s Cemetery in Sea Girt. Donations may be made in Mr. McCarthy’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association at 400 Morris Ave., Suite 251, Denville, 07834.

Brielle resident Pamela S. Woolley died Sunday, Oct. 5 at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank.

She was 67 years old.

Her winsome smile and steady heart radiated to people and animals alike. Pammy’s life was involved with Bill Wilson’s life. She conquered that, but not cancer.

Her talents and magic were with plants, birds, fish, mice, tarantulas, cats and dogs. She was a good listener and always put others first, making her a good licensed practical nurse.

Pam was an artist and had a quirky sense of humor.

Mrs. Woolley is survived by her husband, Jack, and her son, Joseph Sams of Medford. She is also survived by her brother, Peter Shinn of Michigan, and her sister, Melissa Shinn of Alaska. She leaves two grandchildren, Dylan and Lisa.

Internment took place at Greenwood Cemetery in Brielle.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Meridian At Home Hospice at 1340-A Campus Parkway, Neptune, 07757.

Tributes can be posted at www.mem.com

James Greenwood, Jr., of Sherrills Ford, N.C., formerly of Manasquan, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center in Mooresville, N.C.

He was 82 years old.

Mr. Greenwood was born on May 26, 1926 in Philadelphia. He was the son of the late James and Susanna Harvey Greenwood.

Mr. Greenwood was a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy. He was retired from the U.S. Post Office and was a member of Sherrills Ford Presbyterian Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Ann Bolton.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Matthison Greenwood, and his children, Susan Jane Greenwood and William James Greenwood.

Family will receive friends today, Thursday, Oct. 9, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Sherrills Ford Presbyterian Church. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. with burial following in the church cemetery.

Memorials can be made in James’ memory to the Sherrills Ford Presbyterian Church Building Fund.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville, N.C., is serving the Greenwood family.

Avon resident Regina “Gina” Flaherty died Thursday, Oct. 2 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

She was 38 years old.

Regina Flaherty was born in Jersey City. She won a silver medal in swimming in the New Jersey Special Olympics. She was an avid bowler and dancer. She attended CCD at St. Margaret’s Church in Spring Lake.

Ms. Flaherty was predeceased by her mother, Rosemary Flaherty, formally Rosemary McCarthy, in 2002, and her brother, Thomas, in 1979.

She is survived by her father, Thomas M. Flaherty, and her brothers and sisters: Ellen Geraghty and her husband, Darrell, of Bagota; Beth Dunn and her husband, Thomas G. Dunn, Jr., of Westfield; Mary Egan and her husband, Tom, of Manasquan; William Flaherty of Belmar; Charles “CJ” Flaherty of Jersey City; Patricia Nandor and her husband, Joseph, of Avon. Also surviving are eight nieces and nephews: Beth, Kevin, Sharon, Thomas and Mary Kate Geraghty, Meghan Dunn, Delia Rose, and Mary Michele Egan.

Ms. Flaherty was buried at St. Catharine’s Cemetery in Sea Girt. In lieu of flowers, donations to the ARC of Monmouth County at 1158 Wayside Road, Tinton Falls 07712, would be appreciated.

Martin Joseph Quigley of Brielle died on Monday, Oct. 6 at Ocean Medical Center in Brick.

He was 53 years old.

Mr. Quigley was a teacher for the Monmouth County Vocational School District. He worked at the Middletown Vocational School from 1989 up until his passing. He was a member of the NJEA in Trenton. Marty was very active with coaching soccer in both the Brielle and Manasquan Recreational Leagues, which included the Brielle traveling team.

He was born in Montclair and grew up in Verona before moving to the Jersey Shore 18 years ago.

His father, Howard Quigley, predeceased him.

Surviving are his loving wife of 18 years, Diane Marie Quigley, formerly Diane Marie Beach, and a daughter, Meghan Quigley, who lives at home. Also surviving are his mother, Leona Quigley, Verona, and three brothers: Michael, his fraternal twin, of Verona; J. Bruce of Exeter, R.I.; Christopher of Trumbull, Conn. Mr. Quigley is also survived by four sisters: Mary Pacifico of Stanhope; Jill Anderson of Hebron, Conn.; Jacqueline Allen of Lincoln, R.I.; and Patricia Fitzpatrick of Packanack. He leaves 14 nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered today, Thursday, Oct. 9, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Margaret’s Roman Catholic Church in Spring Lake. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Heart Association, 1 Union Street, No. 301, Robbinsville, 08691.

Ridgefield Park resident Frederick Ryan, formerly of Wall Township, died Tuesday, Sept. 30 at Prospect Heights Care Center in Hackensack.

He was 94 years old.

Born in Newark, Mr. Ryan grew to be a talented artist. He attended Arts High School in Newark, then was employed as a commercial artist and painter with Norcross Card Co. in New York City.

Later, he was employed as an illustrator at the U.S. Naval Weapons Station Earle, and was commissioned to paint portraits and design insignias before retiring.

He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II, serving as a medic during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. He was a member of the VFW Post No. 1838 in Manasquan.

Mr. Ryan was predeceased by his beloved wife, Marcella Cintura Ryan.

He is survived by his children: William Ryan and his wife, Whitney; Fredericka Rutledge and her husband, Richard; and Marcella Adams. He is also survived by five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He also leaves his brother, John Ryan, his sister, Margaret Ball, and his longtime friend, Eileen Blake.

O’Brien Funeral Home in Wall Township was in charge of arrangements.

Manasquan resident Kerry P. Hudson [nee Krumm] died Friday, Oct. 3 at Ocean County Medical Center in Brick with her family by her side.

She was 54 years old.

Born in Paterson, she lived in Oak Ridge and summered in Lavallette before moving to Manasquan 35 years ago.

Mrs. Hudson was a pharmacist at Shop Rite in Wall for the past year. Kerry owned and operated LTC Consulting Pharmacist, Manasquan, for 20 years and worked at Eckerd [now Rite Aid] in Manasquan.

She was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Manasquan and served as a Girl Scout leader and confirmation guide there. She was a member of the National Honor Society.

Mrs. Hudson was predeceased by her brother, Donald Smith, in 2007, and is survived by her husband, Robert, and their two children, Thomas R. and Katie L., who both live at home.

She is also survived by her sister, Karen “Candy” Perry of Minnesota, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Cremation will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the International Myeloma Foundation can be made by mail at 12650 Riverside Drive, Suite 206, North Hollywood, CA 91607, by phone at 1-800-452-CURE or online at www.myeloma.org.

Tributes can be posted at www.mem.com.

Catherine Skahill, Boca Raton, Fla., formerly of Wall, died Monday, Sept. 29 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

She was 79 years old.

Catherine F. Skahill was born in Newark to the late Michael and Margaret McKenna Murphy.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Matthew Murphy, and her sisters and brothers-in-law: Margaret and Warren Milford, and Teresa and Edwin Lyons.

Surviving are her husband, Jack Skahill, her children: Patricia Miller; Kathleen Ingram and her husband, William; James Skahill and his wife, Linda; Joseph Skahill and his wife, Patricia; Mary Roche and her husband, Robert. Also surviving is her sister, Rita Healy and her husband, Thomas, 14 grandchildren who she adored, and many nieces and nephews.

Reilly Funeral Home, Belmar, is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Parkinson’s Research Foundation would be appreciated. Please visit their Web site for more information at www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org.

Robert H. McGuirk, formerly of Lakewood, died on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at the Meridian Subacute Rehabilitation Center in Wall Township.

After earning a bachelor of science degree from Rutgers University in Piscataway in 1951, Mr. McGuirk was employed as an urban planner with the State of New Jersey, working at the Edison Labs in Edison.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, from 1942 to 1946.

Mr. McGuirk was a former member of St. Mary’s of the Lake Roman Catholic Church in Lakewood. He was an amateur ham radio enthusiast.

Born and raised in West Orange, he briefly lived in Cape May before moving to Lakewood 16 years ago. His brothers, Douglas, George and William McGuirk, along with his sister, Alice Nucciarone, predeceased him.

Surviving are his wife, Kathleen, of 40 years, his sister, Margaret Cooney of Sea Girt, and 15 nieces and nephews.

Burial took place in St. Catharine’s Cemetery. Arrangements were under the care of O’Brien Funeral Home in Wall Township.

Manasquan resident Ruth Vail Conklin died Thursday, Oct. 2 at Tenacre in Princeton.

She was 102 years old.

Mrs. Conklin was born in Rahway and lived for periods in Wall, Ocean Grove, Naples, Maine, and Philadelphia. She was a graduate of Neptune High School and attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts, and the Art Students League in New York City.

While an art student, Mrs. Conklin modeled for the late W. H. D. Koerner, Interlaken, a renowned illustrator and painter of western art whose illustrations appeared frequently in the Saturday Evening Post. She was a professional artist for almost 75 years, working in oil, watercolor and pastels.

She traveled and painted widely throughout the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe, and her subjects varied widely from the canals of Venice to the Twin Lights overlooking Sandy Hook. She painted portraits, flowers, murals and landscapes, but was noted for her seascapes, most of which were of waves, beaches, rocks and fishermen in the Shore area.

Some of Mrs. Conklin’s murals can be seen at Allaire State Park and in the PNC Bank in Manasquan. Some of her pen and ink drawings of fish and wildlife appeared in the Asbury Park Press in the 1960s and 1970s and in Press publications: Shore Area Fish and The Shore Catch.

Mrs. Conklin became interested in antique dolls in the 1930s and acquired a huge collection over her lifetime. Her fascination with dolls led her to establish the Roadside Studio on Atlantic Avenue in Wall, where she began to make character dolls and soon began to market them nationwide. Prior to and during World War II, she employed 25 people to make and market the dolls.

Mrs. Conklin later established the Ruth Vail Studio in Sea Girt and partnered with her daughter, the late Lucile Geiser, in the Naples Gallery, an antique business and art studio in Naples, Maine. She taught art classes for children and adults and conducted art demonstrations for more than 40 years.

Mrs. Conklin was one of the founders of the Manasquan River Group of Artists, a member of the American Watercolor Society, the National Association of Women Artists, the American Artists Professional League, the Society of New Jersey Artists, the Guild of Creative Art, the Asbury Park Society of Fine Arts, and the Governor William Livingston Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

She was a member of the First Church of Christ the Scientist in Boston, Mass.

Three husbands predeceased her: Paul Geiser, John C. W. Bird and Stanley Conklin.

Surviving are her son, John H. Geiser; her stepson, Marshall Conklin; and her grandchildren: Diane Geiser of Naples, Maine; Joyce Schwaller of Dallas, Texas; and George Geiser of Wall.

She is also survived by two great-grandsons: Paul Geiser Stanford and David Geiser Stanford, both of Naples, Maine.

A private funeral service will be held for family members only.