Marlene Dorothea Gabriele

Marlene Dorothea Gabriele, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 27, 2025, at the age of 75. Born in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, in 1950 to Irene (Georges) and Harry Pappachristus, Marlene lived a life overflowing with love, generosity, faith, and a powerful strength that lifted everyone around her.
Marlene was a force of nature with a heart of gold. Those who knew her often said she could move mountains-and she did. Her tireless energy, determination, and remarkable work ethic inspired everyone who crossed her path. Equally unforgettable was her kind heart. She embodied generosity in all its forms, giving freely and joyfully.
To many, every moment with Marlene felt like a holiday. She loved family, travel, tradition, celebration, and-above all-giving. Her legendary Christmas parties were a true reflection of her hospitality and her gift for making others feel cherished.
Marlene lived a life of impact and service, and her influence reached far beyond her home.
She helped launch Gabriele, Hueglin & Cashman, a well respected municipal bond firm in the 1980s. She played a vital role in starting Gabriele Fitness and Performance. Her dedication to the New Providence Presbyterian Church helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars, and as an Elder, she served with her whole heart-living out the "Christ-centered, people-focused" message she created.
Marlene was a woman of deep faith, and her trust in God never wavered-not through grief, hardship, or illness. Her life was her testimony. She taught not with words but through example, and her faith was the driving force behind it all.
Her family was her greatest joy. She is survived by her children: Andrea Vasady-Kovacs and her husband Paul; Vincent Gabriele and his wife Vanessa; Jessica Frommer and her husband Harris; Ashley Penta and her husband Chris. She was the proud and devoted grandmother of Max, Remi, Isabella, Liv, Victoria, Joseph, Thomas, Stella, Parker, and Lawton. She is also survived by her loving sister and brother, Bonnie Schleimer and Peter Christus, and her beloved aunt, Dorothea "Dottie" Bistis along with countless loving nieces and nephews.
Her passing leaves a void impossible to fill, yet her legacy-of generosity, love, faith, and celebration-will endure in every life she touched.
She will be forever missed, forever cherished, and forever remembered as the heart of her family and a light in this world.
She was "Simply The Best."
The visitation will be held at Paul Ippolito Summit Memorial, 7 Summit Ave., Summit, NJ on Monday, December 1st, from
4:30 - 8:00 PM. The funeral service will be held at New Providence Presbyterian Church, 1307 Springfield Ave., New Providence, NJ on Tuesday, December 2nd, at 10:30 AM followed by the burial at New Providence Presbyterian Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Marlene's memory to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org).