MARIE LOUISE O'REILLY

Marie O'Reilly, a woman of extraordinary warmth, grace, and boundless kindness, passed away peacefully at home on October 26, 2025, at the age of 81.

Marie was born on October 20, 1944, in Englewood, NJ, the first generation born in the United States to German immigrant parents, Otto and Louise Haass. She grew up alongside her three siblings, Jean, Walter, and Kenny. Marie shared a particularly close and loving bond with her sister, Jean, throughout their lives. After graduating from Northern Valley Regional High School in Demarest, NJ, she attended the Englewood Hospital School of Nursing, becoming a Registered Nurse in 1965.

In 1960, at the age of 15, Marie went on a blind date to Yankee Stadium where she met the love of her life, Michael O'Reilly. This meeting marked the beginning of their 65-year love story, solidified with their marriage on April 30, 1966.

While Marie was a kind and compassionate nurse for six years, her true life's work was her family. She prioritized Michael and her two daughters, Sheryl and Valerie, above all else. She dedicated herself fully to nurturing them, creating a home filled with unconditional love, laughter, and support.

Marie's love for her daughters was the guiding principle of her life. She was their most enthusiastic advocate and steadfast champion, immersing herself completely in their environment. She was a dedicated room parent for their classrooms through many grades and, most notably, served proudly as Sheryl's and Valerie's Girl Scout Troop Leader, guiding them from Brownies through their final badges. Through her extensive volunteering, Marie extended her definition of family to her community, teaching her daughters the importance of service, resilience, and true friendship.

Even after her daughters completed their tenure with scouting, Marie's dedication to the organization endured. She became a committed Adult Girl Scout, channeling her leadership skills to a higher level of service. She eventually joined the regional board of directors, where she helped shape policy and mentored future leaders, ensuring the organization continued to empower young women across Northern New Jersey.

Marie and Michael retired and relocated to Vero Beach, FL, in 2008. There, Marie's passion for volunteering continued at the Hibiscus Children's Center, where she worked closely with young children impacted by abuse, offering compassion and care. Beyond her service, Marie embraced life's simple joys. She loved camping with Michael, Sheryl, and Valerie in their younger years, including the cherished family time on Lake George, which continued after they built their home in Hulett's Landing. She was an avid player of tennis and paddle, and found tranquility in gardening. Later in Florida, Marie enjoyed playing golf at Quail Valley and boating with friends in the 'Grady Bunch'. Through these activities, she cultivated many enduring and cherished friendships. In her most recent years, her devoted circle of friends-fondly known as "Marie's Team"-were the ones who kept her happiest, providing constant companionship, and unwavering care.

Marie's legacy of thoughtfulness and patience also lives on through her three grandchildren, Kiley, Keira, and Tyler. Her loving relationship with them was evident in countless small, treasured moments: she spent years mending their favorite "loveys," patiently reading stories (often repeating the same books over and over), and presiding over endless rounds of Go Fish and Old Maid. Marie's greatest accomplishment was not what she did, but the incredible family she raised and inspired.

Marie is survived by her devoted husband of 59 years, Michael O'Reilly of Vero Beach, FL. She is also survived by her two loving daughters, Sheryl (Scott) Arenholz of Annandale, VA, and Valerie (Joe) Murray of Morristown, NJ; and her three cherished grandchildren, Kiley, Keira, and Tyler. Marie leaves behind her dear friend, Sally, who, along with her late husband Ken, shared a treasured lifelong friendship with Marie and Michael. Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Louise Haass, and her siblings, Jean, Walter, and Kenny.

A small, private service will be held in Vero Beach, Florida, on November 25, 2025. The family welcomes memorial contributions in Marie's honor to Hibiscus Children's Center at https://hibiscuschildrencenter.org/donate-2/

or the Lake George Land Conservancy at https://lglc.org/ways-to-give/

or the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey at https://www.gsnnj.org/en/donate-locally/events.html

or flowers may be sent to Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory in Vero Beach.