Marian Cecile Hoke

In loving memory, we mourn the loss of Marian Cecile (Jaenike) Hoke of New City, NY, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and dear friend to so many. Marian, 80, died on January 7, 2026 surrounded by her loving family.

Marian was born on June 27, 1945 in Washington Heights, NY, to William and Marian (Halloran) Jaenike. Named “Pixie” by the nurses when she was born for her bright red hair and adorable countenance, the nickname stuck until she transitioned to Marian as her professional career grew. Marian graduated from St. Elizabeth’s School in Manhattan in 1959, the Academy of the Sacred Heart of Mary in Inwood, NYC in 1963, and St. Clair’s Nursing School in Manhattan in 1965. After many wonderful years at home with her daughters, Marian returned to nursing. Always up for a challenge, she worked as a hospital floor nurse, private duty nurse, health insurance auditor, and specialized health care coder.

On July 2, 1966, Marian married Bob Hoke of Washington Heights, NY. They lived in Riverdale until their second daughter was born and then moved to New City, NY in 1972 where they raised their two daughters, Karen and Debbie. Bob and Marian shared a wonderful nearly 60 years of marriage full of family, friends, faith, and travel.

A woman of deep faith, Marian was a devoted Catholic, involved in her church and community volunteering as a communion steward, ministering to the sick in the church and hospitals, and helping organize women’s retreats and other special events.

Marian was a loving and dedicated mother and grandmother who was wholly devoted to her family. She was considerate, deeply empathetic - kindness was her superpower! Good manners, grammar, and thank you notes were important! She invested in each one of her nine grandchildren’s lives with special trips to the beach and NYC. Family get-togethers were not complete without “Grandma’s famous meatballs” which she made in abundance and happily travelled with them in tow.

Marian is survived by her husband Bob, her daughters Karen Whiteside (Jim) of Greenville, NC and Debbie Tomaselli (Matt) of Montvale, NJ: grandchildren Allison Whiteside Pollard (Zach), Hope Whiteside Harty (Ian), Sarah Whiteside, Meghan Whiteside, Matthew Whiteside, Thomas Whiteside (Caroline), Elizabeth Tomaselli, Lucas Tomaselli and Leah Tomaselli, and great- granddaughter Evangeline Pollard. She is also survived by her sister Ellen Marsh, brother-in- law Vic Marsh and four nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by all.

A visitation will be held at Higgins Funeral Home in New City, NY on Thursday, January 15th from 3:00pm-7:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 17th at 11:30 am at Church of St. Augustine Catholic Church in New City, NY followed by interment at St. Anthony’s Cemetery in Nanuet, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.