Marie A Moldenhauer

TOGETHER AGAIN … having celebrated her 100th birthday in September, Marie Moldenhauer of Kenilworth, peacefully passed away at home on Tuesday, December 30, 2025.  Even though dementia had clouded the memory that the love of her life, Robert “Bob”, (married for 72 years) passed away in the summer of 2021, when asked which of two blouses she wanted to wear this Christmas, she remarked, “let my husband pick which one.” That loss of memory could easily be followed by her recitation of “My Shadow” by Robert Louis Stevenson – a poem she memorized and shared with her second grade class and never forgot.  Over the past few years, she found joy in entertaining us with it, even this past Christmas Day – the poem that gave subtle indications of her cognitive health but, more recently, her decline.

Marie was born to Esther and Richard DeStefano and was raised in the Vailsburg area of Newark, along with her younger siblings, Anita and Vincent.  Graduating in 1943 from Westside High School, her personality and positivity enhanced her outlook on life from the start and all benefited from it. 

She began her working career in sales for her parents’ jewelry manufacturing business, showing the sterling silver nautical sample line to buyers of large luxury New York retail stores and many smaller boutiques, mostly in beach towns and resort areas.  After her marriage to Bob and while the children – Robert, Linda and Brian – were in school, Marie worked part-time in a number of different professions – arranging theatre party trips to New York by bus for dinner and a show; sold appliance maintenance contracts by phone for Sears; and became a Manpower girl (as they called them in the 60’s) which was a temporary secretarial agency.  It was through this company that she landed her executive secretarial position to the President of Ullrich Copper in Kenilworth from which she retired after approximately 25 years. During this period, she also took on a part-time position as Assistant Medical Librarian for St. Michael’s Hospital in Newark. While the children were young, she was also a cub scout den mother, an avid dressmaker, an artistic crafter, creative storyteller and, much to everyone’s delight, she honed her culinary skills.  Marie was always generous with her time, patience and talents when it came to not only her husband and children, but also her extended family and friends.   

A couple in every sense of the word, Bob and Marie enjoyed their travels across the country and in Europe and Bob always appreciated Marie by his side when attending the memorial services and reunions associated with the USS Hyman DD732 Association (the organization formed for the benefit of all those who served aboard the ship from 1944 to 1969). The inaugural reunion was in 1949 and they rarely missed any of them throughout the years.  Marie also assisted Bob in his role as Secretary/Treasurer to the Association by compiling, preparing and sending out the quarterly member newsletter for many years.

Marie was predeceased by her husband, Robert; son, Brian; her parents, Esther and Richard; and her brother, Vincent.  She is survived by her children, Robert and Linda, her sister, Anita; sisters-in-law Regina and Rita; and nieces, nephews and their children. Special thanks to her Bayada caretaker, Carmelita and nurse, Maxine, as well as the Center for Hope hospice team. 

Visitation will be on Monday, January 5th from 3-7 at Higgins & Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home, 582 Springfield Ave., Westfield.  Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, January 6th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Theresa’s Church, Kenilworth, with burial to follow.