Irene Marshall, 95, of Atlantic Highlands, passed away peacefully Nov. 24, 2023. She leaves behind a legacy of love and inspiration for a life well lived.
Irene brought out the best in everyone she met with infinite words of encouragement – words that would make you feel you could take on the world. She was the type of person who could brighten any day with her quick wit and loving smile. Both faith and family were strong and unwavering. She was someone who practiced her belief that “Kindness makes us all better people.”
Irene was born May 17, 1928, in Jersey City to Joseph and Bessie Spahn. She was the oldest of six children (Betty Jane Spahn, Patricia Palmer, Mary Lou Kanecke, Barbara DiRea and Joseph Spahn). Growing up through the Great Depression, Irene never let that hardness break her independent spirit.
In her lifetime, Irene developed photographs, served as a liaison for private companies and the New York Stock Exchange and ran her own successful business in Shrewsbury. Interested in fashion and design, Irene created custom pieces for a local bridal store. Most of all, though, her favorite place was anywhere with her family.
After marrying Walter Marshall in 1956, they shared their love of family, as they raised their children, Maureen and Michael, in Jersey City and eventually moved to Hazlet. The two raised their children surrounded by Irene’s siblings and their siblings’ children; Irene was aunt to 16 nieces and nephews whom she saw regularly. Her life was constantly filled with family members sharing moments together and she loved every second of it.
A connoisseur of ice cream sodas, Irene would often inspire road trips to local and Irish ice cream shops. As a cook, her potato pancakes would be gone in moments. She was an insatiable reader of all genres and fields of study. Irene could hold a captivating conversation on any topic and would leave you feeling like a better version of yourself after any chat. She believed in the good in all of us and will be missed every single day.
Irene is survived by her children, Maureen Daly and her husband Jim of Hazlet, and Michael Marshall and his wife Dana, also of Hazlet; her five grandchildren James Daly (spouse Kathleen), John Daly (spouse Jenessa), Chris Daly, Elizabeth Marshall and Madeline Marshall; and her four great-grandchildren, James Daly, Keira Daly, Erin Daly and Quinn Daly.
Visitation was held Nov. 27 at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A Funeral Liturgy was offered Nov. 28 at The Church of St. Ann, Keansburg. Burial followed at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown.
This article originally appeared in the November 30 – December 6, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
