Mary Joan Toms

Mary Joan Toms, age 86, of Holiday City, Berkeley Township, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2020 at Community Medical Center in Toms River, NJ. She had smoked since she was 12 years old and passed away from complications of lung cancer. (Mom told me she had tried marijuana, which was legal in the 40’s, but it didn’t do anything for her and it was 1 dollar versus 1 cent per cigarette.) Mary was born March 25, 1934, in Newark, NJ. She lived in Toms River for the last 46 years.

Mary was very intelligent and worked many different jobs in her life. Notable jobs included, working in high school as credit manager for a jewelry store (she made more than her father), writing and editing for two small newspapers, making the race program for the Freehold Racetrack, and retiring from Lakehurst Naval Air Station where she was in the secure messaging center. She did start nursing school out of high school but did not like the blood, gore, and bodily fluids (she was always very organized and neat).

She was predeceased by her husband, Howie Toms, WW II 12 Armor, (2nd husband and love of her life): parents Gustave and Mary Koerner, and brothers (Gustave) Albert and Robert. Surviving is her son, Thomas A. Kendzia Jr. and his wife Melinda; grandsons Thomas Kendzia III and his wife Chelsea, Timothy Kendzia and his wife Capri, granddaughter Tricia Kendzia, and great granddaughters Raia, Phoebe, and Nicoya.

Mary never wanted a funeral or viewing (fits the current time), and has requested her ashes to be distributed through the country she loved.

Mom stayed independent, and proud of her family, until the end. She would want everyone to be self-reliant, but get along, there is no reason for conflict, everyone should be their own person.

Be safe and love,

Kendzia family