Obituaries

On Thursday, May 7, 2020, Patricia (Pat) Goff Coene passed away peacefully at the Brandywine Assisted Living Facility in Shrewsbury NJ at the age of 87 due to complications from dementia.

Patricia was born on May 30, 1932 in Montclair, NJ to Edwin and Irene Olsen Goff. She was the youngest of two children. Her sister, Barbara Hofford, is currently living at an assisted living facility in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Patricia obtained her associate degree from Green Mountain College in Poultney, VT. She spent her summers at the Jersey Shore, meeting up with friends at the iconic Victorian hotel, The Bluffs, in Bay Head, where she would meet the man she would marry in 1958, Edgar (Ed) Coene. They moved to Little Silver in the sixties where Patricia was an original member of the Monmouth County Newcomer’s Club.

Patricia loved her friends. She spent her weekends and summers between Deal Golf and Country Club and Monmouth Beach Bath & Tennis Club soaking up the sun, playing golf and bridge, and sharing laughs. Later in life, she and Ed split their time between Vero Beach, Florida and Rumson, New Jersey, travelling to beautiful places each year, and raising their three children. Pat was a member of the parish at Nativity Roman Catholic Church in Fair Haven and for many years she was part of a bowling team at Monmouth Lanes. She was a voracious reader, and did the NY Times crossword puzzle almost every day before her long walks through the neighborhood. She also loved dining out and going to the theatre.

Helen Mahler, 91, passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 6, 2020.

Born in Jersey City in 1929, Helen traded city life for the beach in 1948, when she met her husband, Harry Charles Mahler, and they began their life together in Highlands, NJ, where she raised a family and remained happily married for 64 years until Harry's passing in 2014.

Helen is predeceased by her husband Harry Mahler, her sons Harry and Peter Mahler, her parents, John and Elizabeth Koshuta, and her four siblings: Irene Thiel, Bette Maypother, Dorothy Kruse, and John Koshuta.

It is with great sadness that the family of Mary Raia, age 84, of Monmouth Beach, announces her passing at her residence on April 30. Mary was born Mary Saieva on February 4, 1936 on Staten Island, NY, where she grew up.

On June 17, 1956, Mary and Benedict Raia were married and began their life together. Mary supported her husband’s construction business, J. Raia & Sons, while raising their three children, Joseph, Linda and Mary Jo, on Staten Island. In the summer of 1968, Mary and her family began to spend summers at the Channel Club Marina in Monmouth Beach. Boating and being near the water were Mary’s biggest joys and filled her life with many close friends and happy memories.

Edward E. Jankowski, 80, passed away peacefully at his home in Fair Haven, New Jersey on April 30^th, 2020, after a long and fulfilling life spending time with family and friends, making art, collecting cultural artifacts, educating students, and avidly growing and hybridizing daylilies. He is regarded by loved ones as having the biggest heart, a generous soul, a stubborn character, and the best wit around.

Ed is a graduate of the Layton School of Art, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He earned an MA and an MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Ed also studied in Mexico at the Instituto in San Miguel de Allende. He joined the Monmouth University (then Monmouth College) faculty in 1969 and taught at the University for forty years, teaching studio art and art history to countless students. Ed had an inexplicable way of getting through to his students and was referred to by many as the “Jon Stewart of art history,” injecting humor and storytelling into the study of art.

Caroline Calabrese, age 95, peacefully passed away on May 1, 2020. She was born in New York City and raised in Yorkville, NY. Caroline moved to New Jersey after marrying Wesley Calabrese and raised their three children. She worked in sales, enjoyed her home, cooking and entertaining, making home the hub of get togethers. Her cooking skills were amazing, and her baked ziti was the best. Her greatest love and pride was her grandson, Sean, watching him perform on stage.

Nancy Citarella, 82, born May 7, 1937, passed away at the Chelsea Assisted Living, Tinton Falls, on May 1, 2020. Nancy was born in Red Bank, NJ.  She was the youngest of 8 children.  She grew up in a loving family, surrounded by sisters, parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.  Nancy was proud to be from Red Bank, and was a self-proclaimed “Jersey Girl.”  She fell in love with a young man named Vincent Citarella, and remained married to him for 51 years, until his passing.  They had the happiest of marriages, and were completely focused not on the material, but on the joys of raising a family.  Nancy worked part-time as a waitress in various locations, the last being Bahr’s Landing.  She loved her work and her work friends very much.  In her younger days, Nancy enjoyed bowling, cards, games, puzzles, days at the Middletown Swim Club, and meals with her family.  She will always be remembered for her infectious laugh and sense of humor.  She loved her church, the United Methodist Church of Red Bank, and had tremendous faith in our Lord.

Gloria Palihnich Farrell, 90, passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 25, 2020. Gloria’s life was one filled with celebration, love, and family. 

Born in Weehawken New Jersey, Gloria grew up in West Orange, NJ, where she met the love of her life, John J (Jack) Farrell. They raised a family in Millburn, NJ, traveled the world, celebrated life and remained happily married for 50 years until Jack’s passing in 2002.

New York City was always a part of Gloria’s life. From traveling in to see a young Frank Sinatra perform, to her time as a secretary at Fred Astaire’s Manhattan studio, the museums, the theaters and the energetic pulse of the city were a lifelong attraction.

Gloria’s passion for the arts led her to develop her own talents as an artist. Her works still hang today in the homes of her adoring family.  She danced her way through life with an artist’s eye. She had a gracefulness that reflected the beauty within. 

James M. Corcoran, 78, of Middletown, passed away on April 29, 2020.

The Irish would describe Jim as a ‘grand man’.  Always kind and compassionate, treating all with the utmost respect.  In that same Celtic tradition, he was among the best of storytellers.  His legacy is that he lives on in those his life touched with his love. 

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Geraldine (Geri), son James S. (Jane Amery), daughter Lenore Larson (Jennifer Godoski) and his two grandchildren, Christian and Paige, who were the light of his life and made him very proud. Jim’s brother, Patrick Corcoran (Anne) of Michigàn and sister Anne Baker (Thomas) of Virginia will also miss him dearly. 

Margaret Emily Borden passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at the age of 93.  Margaret was born on July 30, 1926 in Shrewsbury, NJ, the youngest child of the late Charles F. and Helen R. Borden. She is also pre-deceased by her brother Francis R. Borden and sister, Helen L. Close.   

Margaret is survived by 4 nieces and spouses: Helen B. Spencer, Deborah M. (Gary) Shilling, Abagail M. (David Coolican), and Cynthia L. Close.  Additionally, Margaret is survived by 3 great nieces: Lauren (Chris) Deford, Dr. Lindsay (Dr. Cyprian Broodbank) Spencer-Broodbank, Megan L. Hoffman, and 5 great great nieces and nephews:Annabel and Hunter Deford, Aurora and Edmund Broodbank and Maddox Hoffman.

We are truly heartbroken to share the news that our dear and precious Catherine Arline Connelly Goldberg passed away peacefully on Monday, April 27, 2020 at her home in Middletown, NJ. She was in the loving presence of her husband, Dan, and her adoring family. Cathy was 67 years old. Born December 3, 1952 in Denver, CO to Colonel Frank P Connelly, Jr, and Phyliss Marshall Connelly, she was wife of Daniel B Goldberg, MD since 1976, and mother to their 2 sons, Adam of New York, NY and Jeffrey of Arvada, CO. She was a devoted sister to Frank P Connelly III of San Antonio, TX, sisters-in-law with Helen Crouse of Raleigh, NC, and Julie Goldberg of Brookdale, CA, and brother-in-law, David Goldberg of Madison, CT. She was a loving grandmother to Logan Alexander Goldberg (son of Jeffrey and Tracy) and Emerson Grace Goldberg (daughter of Adam and Nicole).