Marie Edith Bryan (nee Peterson) died at home on October 5th, surrounded by her family.
Born in 1937 in Brooklyn, N.Y., Marie lived in Upper Greenwood Lake and graduated from Butler High School in 1955.
Marie married the love of her life, Paul Bryan, in 1957. They settled on Greenwood Lake where they raised eight children. Marie always knew that she wanted to have eight kids and she was a wonderful mother to each of her children.
Marie and Paul were members of Queen of Peace Church since their wedding there. Marie was a lay minister, taught confirmation classes, and was a leader in the building of the church annex.
Marie’s unbounded enthusiasm, led to many lifelong interests.
She was an award-winning amateur photographer.
Marie loved music, playing guitar and singing for many years in the professional band “The Lady Fingers” (which her son Kevin affectionately called the Butter Fingers). Marie also played bass guitar, violin and piano.
For more than 40 years Marie met with the “Tuesday Girls” and went on all kinds of adventures including hiking, biking, bowling, trips to NYC and dining out.
An avid sailor, Marie raced Rebel sailboats with Paul on Greenwood Lake for more than 25 years. They also sailed a Morgan 41 for 20 years, introducing many friends to the beauty of the British Virgin Islands. Marie and Paul sailed a C&C 34 out of the Nyack Boat Club.
At age 60, Marie swam across the Hudson River as part of the Tapan Zee Bridge Swim.
Marie was predeceased by her husband Paul, her sons Danny and Tom, and her daughter Kathleen.
She is survived by her sister Joan Semento; children Kevin, Steven, David, Rich and Linda; as well as grandchildren Zach, Emily, Eric, Daniel, Oliver, Ritzer, Paul, Casey and Sadie.
Marie was a cancer survivor for 21 years In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Marie used her visionary outlook to teach all to choose joy in life. May this be a reminder and a challenge for all of us.
Visiting hours were held Oct. 7 at Richards Funeral Home, 1440 Union Valley Road, West Milford.
A funeral mass was celebrated Oct. 8 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Hewitt.
Interment was in Cedar Heights Cemetery in West Milford.