Agnes Agusta Marshall

On August 31, 2025, Agnes Agusta Marshall, beloved mother, wife, teacher, and friend, unexpectedly passed away, leaving behind a legacy of love, generosity, and resilience. She was 81 years old.
Agnes was born on July 31, 1944, in Tibiao, Antique, Philippines, during the turmoil of the Second World War. As a baby, she was cradled in a hiding place while Japanese forces stormed her town-a story that spoke to her strength and perseverance from the very beginning. She was the cherished daughter of Francisca Amar Necesito and Arcadio Mazo Agusta.
A bright and determined student, Agnes graduated from the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City, Philippines. On New Year's Eve in 1970, she immigrated to the United States, stepping onto American soil just as "Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies played on the radio. That song became a lifelong reminder of her arrival and new beginning, and she kept it as her phone's ringtone for many years.
Agnes began building her new life in Jersey City, working various jobs, including as a bank teller, before earning her master's degree from New Jersey City University. Agnes then became a teacher and, in the fall of 1977, while attending a teachers' convention in Atlantic City, she met Dale Woodruff Marshall. They married and welcomed their daughter, Colleen ("Pangga," meaning "love"), into the world in 1980.
Agnes dedicated her career to teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), inspiring students (both young and old) throughout the 1980s and 1990s. She also pursued real estate, working as a residential broker with Weichert Realtors in Short Hills. Lifelong learning was her passion-she attended seminars, took courses at Harvard University, and proudly noted that she had earned 12 credits toward her PhD at Rutgers University.
Agnes was also deeply committed to her heritage and community. She founded the Philippine American Cultural School (PACS) at Seton Hall University, helping to preserve and share Filipino culture with future generations. Her deep Catholic faith matched her devotion to community and was a cornerstone of her life. Agnes was a devoted parishioner of Our Lady of Sorrows, where she once served as president of the Rosary Society. She prayed daily, leaned on her faith in times of struggle, and passed on the traditions of devotion and reverence to those she loved. Colleen and her husband, David (who Agnes affectionately called "Doo Doo"), will especially miss the comforting sound of Agnes falling asleep to novenas playing softly on her phone, a gentle reminder of her deep faith and the peace it brought her.
Beyond her professional, cultural, and spiritual life, Agnes was most at home in her garden. Her plants were her pride and joy; each one tended with devotion, reflecting her vibrant spirit. In her later years, she found joy in traveling the world with her Pangga and Doo Doo. Together, they took her on adventures near and far-even pushing her wheelchair through the hills of Assisi, Italy, and Lourdes, France ensuring she was part of every journey.
Agnes will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and radiant presence. She was always the most giving person in the room, a true friend to many, and a devoted mother and wife.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Dale, her parents, and her brothers Paquito and Hector Agusta. She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Colleen Leigh, her son-in-law, David Leigh, Esq., her numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and other beloved family members both in the United States and at home in the Philippines, her three cherished cats (Matcha, Biko, and Shorty), and the countless blooming plants that made her garden a paradise.
Though our hearts ache with her loss, we take comfort knowing that Agnes has been reunited with her loved ones in God's eternal embrace. We will forever carry her in our hearts until we meet again on His heavenly plane.
Visitation will be held at Preston Funeral Home 153 South Orange Ave, South Orange on Monday, Sept 8th from 4:00 – 8:00 PM. The Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 217 Prospect Street, South Orange on Tuesday, Sept 9th at 10:00 AM. Interment to follow at Presbyterian Cemetery in Springfield, NJ.