Maureen Karen Mlynarczyk

It is with great sadness that the family of Maureen Karen Mlynarczyk announces her passing on February 16, 2020 at the age of 47 years old after a two-year battle with colon cancer. Maureen approached her death as she did her life - with remarkable strength, boundless compassion for others, quick wit, and complete grace.

Born on August 24,1972 in Washington DC, she spent most of her childhood in Westfield, NJ. A 1990 high school graduate of Oak Knoll School in Summit, Maureen went on to receive her B.A. from Skidmore College and her M.F.A. from UCLA. She worked in the animation industry for over 20 years, earning six Emmy award nominations and winning an Emmy award in 2017 for her work on “Adventure Time with Finn & Jake.” Other shows and films in her credits include, though certainly are not limited to, “Recess,” “Camp Lazlo,” “The Simpsons Movie,” “The Cleveland Show,” “Steven Universe,” and “Disenchantment.” Maureen had a huge place in her heart for shelter animals and longed to find them each a home. This compassion also was evident in her friendships and the many loved ones she touched.

Maureen is predeceased by her paternal grandparents (Stanley and Bertha Mlynarczyk) and her maternal grandparents (Wiliam and Catherine Strickler). She is survived by her devoted partner (Andrew Dubel), her parents (Peter and Catherine Mlynarczyk), and her sisters and brothers-in-laws, (Karen and John Vagelatos, Elizabeth and Christoper Salinger). Lastly, she will forever be “Aunt Emmy” to her three adoring nieces and one nephew (Avery and Luke Salinger, Katherine and Athena Vagelatos).

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to the Animal Care Centers of New York (ACC), where Maureen both worked and adopted her two cats. https://www.nycacc.org/ If possible, please consider continuing her mission and either rescue or adopt an animal in need.

The Visitation will be held at the Rossi Funeral Home, 1937 Westfield Ave. Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 from 4-7pm on Wednesday, February 19th, 2020.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, February 20th, 2020 at 10am, at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church, Scotch Plains, NJ.