Marian Branthwaite

Marian R. Branthwaite (nee Garbaccio), age 88, of Pompton Lakes passed away peacefully on Monday, May 6, 2019 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Marian was born and raised in Paterson and was the child of Gene and Genevieve Garbaccio. She had two siblings. Growing up in Paterson, Marian attended St. Mary’s High School, graduating with the class of 1947.  Following high school, Marian found employment quickly and worked for a couple of local businesses for a two year period.  During that time, Marian’s parents took notice of a handsome young man they had met at  the motorcycle races, an interest they had in common, named Wilfred Branthwaite.  Marian’s parents thought they would be a nice couple, so they introduced Marian to him.  The couple hit it off rather well and they dated for about a year or so.  As fate would have it they fell in love and were married on August 28, 1949 at St Mary’s Church in Paterson.

The couple settled in Pompton Lakes, where they welcomed their two children, Leslie and Ike. They raised their family there and remained in Pompton Lakes for the rest of their lives together.  After getting married, Marian devoted herself to her family, becoming a full time homemaker.  This was truly Marian’s calling and where, indeed, she flourished.  Although being a homemaker was her top priority, she still enjoyed having a part time job where she could maintain and exercise her social skills. Her part time work included employment at a local retail department store in Pompton Lakes.  As her children grew older, Marian went back to work full time as an Administrative Assistant at Artistic Weaving, and later American Cyanamid in Wayne, where she worked until her retirement.  

Marian was a parishioner of St Mary’s RC Church in Pompton Lakes for many years and was also a member of the Golden Agers in Pompton Lakes.  Marian loved music and dance. Attending shows with friends was a favorite activity of hers. She was very fashionable, always certain to have a completely coordinated outfit, beautifully done hair and manicure.  Her grandchildren called her “fancy lady”.  Her greatest passion by far was her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Marian than her children and grandchildren.  She was a fun loving person and a kid at heart.  She was happy to play for hours with her grandchildren, giving them her complete, undivided attention. Marian and Wilfred cherished sixty-five years of loving and loyal marriage together until Wilfred’s passing in 2014.  Marian touched the lives of many people and will be missed by everyone that knew her.

Marian is survived by her daughter Leslie Drucks and her husband Brian of Morristown, her son Ike Branthwaite and his wife Cary of Durham, NC, one sister Carol Alvino of Wayne, four grandchildren Aimee Rosenfelder of New Holland, PA, Ronald McBain of West Hollywood, CA, Chloe Drucks of Charleston, SC, Hannah Branthwaite of Nashville, TN, and one great grandchild, Joie Stoltzfus of New Holland, PA.  She was predeceased by her husband Wilfred Branthwaite in 2014 as well as her brother Scott Watson in 2016.