Mary Connors Holovacs

March 25, 1942 – September 19, 2021

Born Hoboken, New Jersey

Mary Connors Holovacs passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at the age of 79. She was surrounded by her immediate family as she ascended to Heaven. She had valiantly, inspirationally and gracefully endured brain cancer for over a year preceding her death.

Mary was born on March 25, 1942 as the only daughter of Francis (Frank) and Lillian Pearson Connors of Hoboken, New Jersey. She was the happiest of children and that joy endured throughout her entire life, permeated everything she did and was an inspirational beacon to all who were touched by her.

She attended Sacred Heart Academy for high school and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Montclair State University as an Education major. Afterwards, as a full-time mother of three young children, she earned her Masters in Education from William Patterson College.

As a college student, she met the love of her life, Thomas (Thom) Nicholas Holovacs of Garfield, NJ at Harold’s Bar in East Orange, NJ, a local college hangout. They were married in 1964 at St. Stephen’s Church in Passaic, New Jersey. They remained as dedicated, adoring, happy and vivacious, life-long partners until her passing. Their love and devotion to one another remains the gold standard for married couples.

After having spent enchanting summers in lovely and idyllic Lake Mohawk, NJ as a teenager, Mary and Thom permanently moved to Lake Mohawk in 1964. Mary gave birth to her daughter, Mary in 1965. Subsequently, Mary welcomed two sons to the family (Thomas Francis 1967 and Timothy 1969). In 1965, Mary and Thom moved to 197 Springbrook Trail where she resided until her passing. In that small home, they raised their happy family.

Mary worked as a teacher in Hoboken, New Jersey. Subsequently, Mary worked in Sparta at the Engel School preschool on Glen Road. Afterwards, she began to teach at the Sussex County Vocational-Technical School until her retirement in 2006. Her tenure at Sussex Tech was marked by countless students and staff whom she deeply influenced during her career. The lifelong lessons imparted by Mary to her students remains a hallmark of her passion and dedication to helping others.

At Sussex Vo-Tech, she served as President of the Teacher’s Union. Furthermore, she contributed her time, caring and expertise to the Superintendant Advisory, Principal Advisory and Negotiations Committees.

Over the years Mary volunteered as a Girl Scout Leader, Camp Counselor, teacher at the Rev. George A Brown School and the statistician/publicity contact for the Lake Mohawk Cruiser Club Swim Team and a longtime coach/volunteer/coordinator for the Special Olympics.

In the summers of her youth, she was the first lifeguard at the Beach 8 Sleepy Lagoon Beach at Lake Mohawk. She remained an avid swimmer her entire life.

Mary was a Lake Mohawk icon for over 50 years. Her slalom water-skiing prowess was remarkable throughout her life and even into her 70s. She swam at least a mile daily at the Lake Mohawk Pool during the summertime and the local YMCA in winter. She was a constant presence walking and exercising along Springbrook Trail, LMCC Boardwalk and throughout town. 3-4 miles per day, every day was her norm. All the while, Mary would sing, smile and wave.

She was an avid athlete. She bicycled the Canadian Rockies. She was a powerful skier her entire life beginning at Great Gorge and then Hidden Valley, NJ. She carved turns in Colorado, the Canadian Rockies and Europe and helicopter skied in Utah. She was adventurous in every way and conquered the mountains of the Rockies, Alps and Africa including Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

A profound lightness of being defined Mary and that positive attitude, happiness and glass half full outlook on life is only a small part of her incredible legacy. She remained undaunted and remarkably happy all the days of her life. She is survived by her brother Frank of Vermont. She is survived by husband and best friend, Thom as well as her three children, Mary, Tom his wife Karrie, and Tim and his wife Anne O'Dair, seven grandchildren, Terra Holovacs Wilson and her husband James Wilson, Arty Warden, Brianne Warden, Finn and Shea Holovacs, Thomas and Nicholas Holovacs and one great-grandchild, Chase Wilson.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted under Goble Funeral Home 22 Main St., Sparta, NJ 07871. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at Our Lady of the Lake Church 294 S Sparta Ave., Sparta, NJ. Cremation was held privately.