Marilyn L. (Maser) Grassey

Marilyn Lawrence Grassey (nee Maser) (January 1935, Queens, NY) of Allendale, NJ (60 years) and Cedar Crest/Mountain View Gardens, Pompton Plains, NJ (8 years) passed away peacefully on June 12, 2025.

Beloved mother of Richard Roy Grassey, Jr (Tobi) of Briarcliff Manor, NY, Douglas Lawrence Grassey (deceased 2017) and Brenda Gay Grassey (Richard Woollams) of New York, NY, and dedicated wife of Richard Roy Grassey (deceased 2012) lived a rich and fulfilling life.

Marilyn was a loving mother and grandmother, devoted friend and family member who valued education, humor, curiosity, independent thinking and traveling the world. She was a den mother, scout leader, softball coach, active community member and accomplished tennis player. Marilyn loved hosting parties for her friends and family in their Allendale home, and she enjoyed many winters in Hobe Sound, FL.

Marilyn worked part-time outside of the home as an office manager and substitute teacher in the Allendale and Ramsey school systems. She was passionate about history, her art and culture club, attending all of its trips anywhere local and abroad to learn, enjoy and broaden her mind. Some trips included China, the Soviet Union and Berlin prior to those places becoming easily accessible to western visitors. Her appreciation for history, women’s literature, the practices of other cultures, learning and exploring was boundless.

In the early 1950’s, Marilyn attended Smith College in Northhampton, MA where and when she met her beloved husband of 58 years Richard Roy Grassey who was visiting from Dartmouth College in NH. Marilyn returned to Smith and completed her degree in 1993 when she proudly marched at commencement as an Ada Comstock Scholar. Three years later at the age of 61, Marilyn completed her Master of Library Sciences degree at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. She worked in the Mahwah Public Library system and the Berkeley College Library in Waldwick, NJ.

Marilyn aka Mimi will be missed dearly by her children and grandchildren Alexander Lawrence Grassey of West Chester, PA, Richard Roy Grassey III (Katie) of Sleepy Hollow, NY, Claire Browning Grassey of New York, NY, Justin Carl Grassey, Melissa, Byron, Charlotte and Henry Anstine of Chester Springs, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the ASPCA https://www.aspca.org or any charity close to the heart. The family will hold a memorial in the fall, Marilyn’s favorite time of year.

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