Obituary of Mary Marlene Luongo

Mary Marlene Luongo née Liebtag, 89, of Freehold Township passed away peacefully in her sleep Saturday, September 26, 2020. She was known by her family and friends as Marlene. Mary Marlene fought a tough battle with cancer for many years.  She was surrounded in her last days by her loving children and grandchildren.  Many heartfelt memories and loving words were shared. 

Mary Marlene believed in the power of education.  She attended Indiana University where she earned her Bachelors and was awarded the academic achievement of Phi Beta Kappa.   She continued her education at Harvard University, Radcliffe where she earned her Masters.  She taught K-12 during the span of her over 30 year teaching career.   She taught Latin, History, and other subjects at many schools like Hamilton West High School, West Windsor-Plainsboro, Colts Neck, Brick, and other districts.   She also tutored pregnant teenagers in a special program in Colts Neck after school, so they could still graduate. 

Mary Marlene met her husband Anthony Luongo, a New Jersey native, while he was attending Harvard law school.  They married in 1955 in Indianapolis, Indiana where she was born and raised, and moved to Elizabeth, NJ that year.  In 1970, they settled and raised their five children in Freehold where she resided until her passing.

She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Anthony Luongo; and her brother, Theodore Liebtag, Jr.   Mary Marlene is survived by her children, Esther Luongo Psarakis, Claudia Luongo and her husband, Kenneth Maffeo, David Luongo, Michael Luongo, and Julia Luongo McArdle and her husband, James McArdle; grandchildren, Antonios Psarakis and his wife, Marina, Evangelia Psarakis, and Anthony McArdle; and many nieces and nephews she adored as well.

She was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and sister-in-law.  She enjoyed traveling, reading, doing crossword puzzles, watching her grandchildren grow up, and truly loved a great movie with a big bucket of popcorn.  Marlene was named after the actress Marlene Dietrich since she was born at the height of her fame. She was an avid lover of Roman History, classical studies, the arts, museums, the opera, and the theater.   Mary Marlene was very proud of her Indiana roots and being a Hoosier.  She loved the news and current events.  Mary Marlene was also a generous supporter of many charities and supported many causes including Autism and Asperger Syndrome organizations.  Most importantly, she was very proud of the achievements of her children and grandchildren. As she struggled with a disease that robbed her of so much, spending time with her children and hearing of their latest adventures always lifted her spirits and enlivened her days.

A memorial gathering will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 from 4:30 to 7:30 PM with a memorial service to be held at 6:30 PM.  Relatives and friends are invited to participate in her service through the funeral home website at https://claytonfuneralhome.com/77/Webcast.html.  For the safety of the public and our staff, we are asking everyone to help us adhere to the CDC guidelines. Facemasks will be required. For those who desire, memorial contributions to Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 28 West 44^th Street, Suite 609, New York, NY 10036 or The ARC of Monmouth, 1158 Wayside Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07712 would be appreciated.  For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com