Anna Marie Molner

Anna Marie (Maryanne) Molner, 97, of Leisure Village in Lakewood, NJ, passed away peacefully at her home on May 3, 2025. Born December 10, 1927, Maryanne was the eldest daughter of Ralph and Elizabeth Perfetti of Passaic, NJ. She was predeceased by her devoted husband of 63 years, Arthur J. Molner, her eldest son A. Barry Molner, and her grandson Ronald Jones.

Maryanne had 6 siblings and is survived by her beloved sister Frances Brickman of Rustburg, Virginia, brother-in-law’s Robert Brickman, Pat Brislin and sister-in-law Carol Perfetti.

Maryanne was first and foremost a devout Catholic. She was a gifted and accomplished woman and led a dynamic life. Having struggled through the Great Depression as a child, she then went on to work in NYC as a telephone operator during WWII.

In 1946, she married Arthur Molner. They moved to Helena, Montana, and while Arthur attended Carroll College, Maryanne managed a motel and worked at First National Bank. A beloved mother of her 7 children, she remained active in her community and in service.

Over the following years, she held numerous professional roles: bookkeeper for her husband’s contracting business, kitchen and bathroom designer, tax preparer, real estate agent, and licensed practical nurse (LPN).

A member of the Women’s Auxiliary of American Legion Post 109 in Rutherford, N.J., she held several leadership roles. Living in Wanaque, NJ, she served with the local volunteer First Aid Squad. Later, living on their family farm in Garrettsville, NY, she joined the Women’s Club and was an active parishioner at Holy Cross Church.

In 2003, Maryanne and Arthur settled in Lakewood, NJ. An active member of St. Luke’s Church in Toms River and Leisure Village Craft Club, she often led water aerobics classes at the community pool. A lifelong lover of music, she played piano and delighted in singing and performing with her musical family. She enjoyed entertaining guests wherever she lived, her love for others shown through. In her younger years she enjoyed bowling, and even raced sulkies during our horseback riding years.

Maryanne is survived by six of her seven children (A. Barry † 2014):

• Marianne T. Jones and husband George R. Jones of Highland Lakes, NJ

• Robert D. Molner and wife Barbara of Brick Township, NJ

• James E. Molner and wife Karen of Lake Wallenpaupack, PA

• Caryn E. Kehrly of Mechanicsburg, PA

• Richard T. Molner and wife Robin of East Norriton, PA

• Donald C. Molner and wife Gisela of Trier, Germany.

She is also survived by 17 grandchildren: Lisa Gulino, Cyndi Thomas, Sarah Malewich, Rebecca Hess, Mandy Regel, Rob Molner, Jenna Johnson, Michael Molner, Melissa Wiseman, LeeAnna Kehrly, Ricky Molner, Julia Molner, Jörn Molner, Justus Molner, Lindsay Kobithen, Mackenzie Drost, and Tanner Foix, as well as many great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and Tom DiGiulio her dear neighbor.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at D’Elia Funeral Home, Hwy 70 & Vermont Avenue, Lakewood, NJ.

A Funeral Service will take place on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 10:00 AM, followed by burial at 12:00 PM at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 224 Westminster Place, Saddle Brook, NJ 07663.

Maryanne’s legacy of warmth, service, and strength lives on through the generations she touched.