Maria Malok

Maria Malok, age 90, of Lebanon Borough, NJ, unexpectedly passed away on October 12, 2025, at Hunterdon Medical Center in Raritan Twp., NJ, surrounded by her loving family.
Maria was born on March 13, 1935, in Derazno, Poland, to the late Nikodem and Waleria (Juncewicz) Lysy. She grew up on their family farm with many animals, several planting fields, a stream in the woods behind her home, and her extended family nearby. She was allowed to go by herself to her Babcia's (grandmother's) house a few doors away. They walked the mile to the village where her mother exchanged their farm goods for items like sugar and cooking oil, and always, to Church every Sunday. It was a rural farm lifestyle which few of us can relate to today.
When Maria was 4 years old, Poland was invaded and occupied by Nazi Germany and Russia. At the age of 7, the Nazis alerted all the families they had 20 minutes to pack what they could carry, and removed them against their will to Germany for forced labor. They were on cattle cars for several days and assigned to a Nazi farmer where they all worked. Maria's responsibility as a 7 year old was to take the cows to pasture and remain there with them all day, alone. The sound of aircraft and bombs falling on nearby Hamburg was terrifying. Food and shelter were meager. They survived there until they were liberated at the end of World War II, when Maria and her family were moved to a Displaced Persons Camp in Germany. They were relocated several times over the next years. Life in these camps was an improvement because the children were in school and they could attend church while they awaited news of immigration options. Returning to their own farm was not possible as the border had been redrawn at Yalta, and that land, their family land, was now given to Russia.
In 1951, at the age of 16, Maria and her family arrived in the United States through New York Harbor after a 6 day Atlantic crossing. Her family lived in Plainfield, NJ with a sponsor family, before moving to Piscataway, NJ. After one year of working and saving, Maria's parents had earned enough to place a down payment to purchase a home of their own. Maria continued to live in Piscataway until she moved to Lebanon Borough, NJ several years ago.
Maria was the beloved wife of the late Jan Malok. Married in 1955, the two celebrated 61 years together before Jan's passing in 2017.
Working initially as a seamstress, then later in several factories making electric motors, she later started out as a part-time worker at Boro Market Deli in Piscataway, NJ, which she and her husband later purchased. Maria managed the business beautifully and provided a wonderful selection of delicious Polish and American foods, great service and conversation for all who shopped there.
Maria was a long-time member of the Polish Falcons of America where they were able to continue their Polish traditions and cherish their newly adopted country. She and her husband were instrumental early members and benefactors of the Polish Center of John Paul II in Clearwater, FL, helping create the foundation for what it is today. She was also a current member of the Lebanon Senior Citizens Group in Lebanon, NJ, and a parishoner of Immaculate Conception Church in Annandale, NJ.
An extraordinary mother, and then Babcia to her beloved grandchildren, Maria was an incredibly loving and strong presence in all their lives. Whether it was cooking for them, or teaching them to prepare a favorite dish, driving them to their activities, or learning to pitch a baseball to her then 6 year old grandson, she was dedicated to spending time with her grandchildren. As one of her granddaughters recently wrote: "Today, heaven gained the strongest, most beautiful, selfless Angel. Thank you, Babcia for teaching me what it means to work hard, love, be grateful for everything in life, and accomplish anything you put your mind to".
Maria enjoyed poetry and inspirational quotes and still recited Polish poems from her childhood. She also enjoyed crocheting, knitting, working on jigsaw puzzles and conversations with friends and family. At 90, she was still driving herself and her friends to church and bingo regularly. She spoke of "Her Guys": St Jude and St Anthony, and recently St Frances. She prayed and sought their guidance, help, protection and wisdom for all of her family, friends, and even strangers who needed God's help. (She would Not Like all of this talk about her as she was a very humble and modest person).
Maria is survived by her four loving children: Edward J. Malok and his wife, Cathy, of North Plainfield, NJ; Teresa Malok Londino and her husband, O. Anthony, of Annandale, NJ; Mark A. Malok of Edison, NJ; Andre V. Malok and his wife, Shannon, of Lebanon, NJ. Her beloved grandchildren: Stefanie, Brian, Michael, Jeston, Taylor Marie, Julia and Olivia. Her great-granddaughter: Nathalia. Her two siblings: Helen Posluszny and Henry Lysy.
In addition to her husband, Maria is predeceased by her sister, Sophia Coakley.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 5-7 pm, at Scarponi-Bright Funeral Home, 26 Main Street, Lebanon, NJ.Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 10 am, at Immaculate Conception Church, 316 Old Allerton Rd., Annandale, NJ.Interment will follow at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa Cemetery, 654 Ferry Rd., Doylestown, PA. Instead of flowers, please consider a charitable donation in memory of Maria Malok to The Polish Center of John Paul II in Clearwater, Fl or The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, in Doylestown, PA.
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