Mary McCauley

Mary Lee (nee Johnson) McCauley, 94, of Monroe Twp., NJ, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 20, 2026. A long-time resident of Monroe Township, NJ, Mary spent 70 cherished years as a beloved member of the community. She married her late husband, Emmett McCauley, on March 3, 1951, and they built a life together marked by love, resilience, and devotion. For many years, Mary worked diligently at Carter Wallace, a pharmaceutical company, where she retired from her role as a factory worker.

Above all else, Mary will be remembered for her immense generosity and the warmth she extended to her family and friends. She found great joy in the simple, beautiful things in life. Mary was a lover of travel and took many adventures with her friends, took great pride in her gardens, loved crafting, and filled her home with the sounds of her favorite country music. Her heart was always widest for her family, and her home was a place where everyone felt loved and welcomed. Mary loved shopping, going out to dinner with family, and of course, Brian's meatballs.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, Willie Earl and Eugenia Lee (Phillips) Johnson; her sister, Joyce Ann Harlow; and grandson, Corey J. McCauley.

She is survived by her devoted children: son Carl F. McCauley and wife Susan (Caputo) of Old Bridge, NJ; her daughter Kathie and husband Eddie Smith Jr. of Waynesboro, VA; and son Thomas E. McCauley and his wife Lyn (Popielarczyk), of Monroe Twp., NJ.

Mary’s memory lives on through her grandchildren: Melissa (Smith) and her husband Brian Arnott of Brielle, NJ; Harley and Samantha Smith of Concord, VA; Aero C. Smith, Damien E. Smith and partner Cassie of Waynesboro, VA; Ryan A. Marszalek of Jackson, NJ; Antoinette L. Papariello of Florida; and Christopher McCauley and his wife Kristen of Oakhurst, NJ. She was also the proud grandmother to several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Mary shared a deep, special bond with her great-grandson, Niklaus, they loved their ice cream lunches, trips to Keyport Fishery and Mary Jane candy.

Mary leaves behind a rich legacy of love, creativity, and strength. She will be dearly missed by all who were blessed to know her.

Visitation for Mary will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Lester Memorial Home, 16 West Church Street, Jamesburg, New Jersey, 08831. In place of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in her memory.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes, 618 W. Main St., Waynesboro. Following the visitation, a funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Billy Coffey officiating. Burial will follow at Augusta Memorial Park in Waynesboro, VA.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes of Waynesboro, VA and Lester Memorial Funeral Home, Jamesburg, NJ.

Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com