Obituary of Marilyn J. Gaynor

Marilyn J. Gaynor, 77, of Asbury Park, NJ passed away on July 26, 2023. Marilyn was born to George Allison and Mildred Odenwald on December 27th, 1945 in Manhattan, NY. Her younger sister, Arlene was born 7 years later and called Marilyn “sissy”. They later moved to the Bronx where then she would graduate from Walton High School and soon after marry William “Billy” Gaynor. Together they raised two daughters, Christine and Kerri. She worked at a telephone company, then at Rosabelle’s. In between, she was a stay at home mom for Chrissy and Kerri. Later on, they all moved to Yonkers where she worked at John Wanamaker’s. Marilyn and Billy moved to Rockland County for retirement, but after Bill passed, Marilyn headed to Asbury Park to be closer to her daughter, Kerri. She loved living so close to the beach. She even made it out to the boardwalk once! She was always a very picky eater, but some of her favorite treats were chocolate shakes from McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, white powdered donuts, cakes, peeps, popcorn, White Castle burgers, sweet and hot tea, and chocolate candy. Every Thanksgiving, Marilyn made it her job to make the BEST mashed potatoes known to man! They always came out with the absolute perfect taste and texture. Nobody made them like she did! Marilyn loved listening to her kitchen radio ever since she was young. Marilyn was always such a cute, sweet, and tiny lady. Even though she was physically small, her personality was not. She always marched to the beat of her own drum! She loved snoopy. Marilyn worked at Sears for quite some time and her grandchildren loved visiting her there. She loved decorating for every holiday, making sure she had a special wreath on the door for each holiday. Collecting trinkets was one of her favorite hobbies. Puppy calendars were always something that she purchased and gave as gifts, since she loved dogs. Going to CVS was one of her favorite outings. She will be remembered as a one of a kind wife, mother, and grandmother. We find comfort in knowing that her and Billy will be reunited together. She will be missed forever. She put up quite the fight during her final days, like the tough, but loving lady she always was. She is survived by her daughters, Christine and Kerri, granddaughters, Jackie and Lauren, and sister Arlene.