Marie C. Poelstra Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

A Celebration of the Life of Marie Poelstra Marie C. Poelstra, 84, died on November 2, 2017, surrounded by the love of her family after a long illness. Mrs. Poelstra was born on December 8, 1932 in Kinnelon, NJ to Westervelt Valentine Coombs and Lucy Warnock Coombs. She was the youngest of 9 children. Marie was employed as a telephone switchboard operator, which is where she met her future husband, Robert. They were married on March 10, 1956 in Butler, NJ. They raised their four children in Waldwick, NJ while also caring for 50 foster babies over a span of 18 years. In 1978, they were the recipients of the Foster Parents of the Year Service Award from CAAS (Children’s Aid and Adoption Society of NJ.) When her children were grown, Marie returned to work as a switchboard operator at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, and retired at age 75 after 25 years of service. Marie eventually left Waldwick and lived in Midland Park for several years, where she was unofficially known as the social director for her community. In later years, she moved to Belle Mead. Marie was very active in and devoted to her church, enjoyed singing and playing the organ, made chicken soup for everyone she knew, and spent countless hours knitting and crocheting. Baby blankets were her specialty. Marie was an avid gardener, and received many compliments on her flower beds, especially her Black-eyed Susans. She loved to share her vegetables with her friends and neighbors. Sunday evenings were reserved for watching Lawrence Welk reruns, which she could never get enough of. In her younger days, she sang alto with Sweet Adelines. She was constantly on the lookout to see how she could make someone's day a little brighter. Whenever someone was in need, she was the first to help. She is survived by her children: Beverly and her husband Tim Corlis, Robert and his wife Michele DeCarlo, Marie and her husband Michael Vanni, David and his wife Stacie, as well as her 8 grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Thelma Ruth Marion, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, in 1985 after 29 years of marriage. Should you wish to make a memorial contribution, the family requests that remembrances be made to a charity of your choice. If you wish to share any memories or anecdotes, please send us an email at bpoelstra@yahoo.com. Thank you for honoring Marie's life with us. God saw you getting tired And a cure was not to be So he put His arms around you And whispered "Come to me." With tearful eyes we watched you As you slowly slipped away And though we loved you dearly We couldn't make you stay. Your golden heart stopped beating Your tired hands put to rest God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best. - God Saw You Getting Tired, by Frances and Kathleen Coelho Services under are being conducted with the assistance of Hopewell Memorial Home & Cremation Services, Hopewell NJ 08525 - 609.FUNERAL

Marie C. Poelstra

December 8, 1932 - November 2, 2017