Marilyn E. Chalmers

Marilyn Anna Chalmers (née Engle) went to be with our Lord on June 8, 2022. Born in Englewood, NJ on February 1, 1934, to parents Anna and Leroy Engle who predeceased her. Most of her younger years were spent in New Jersey. The family moved to Hobart, NY for several years returning in 1950 to settle in River Edge, NJ. Marilyn graduated from Hackensack High School. She attended Berkeley College in New York City after which she worked at several advertising agencies before becoming an executive assistant at This Week Magazine and Bowater Paper Company. She loved the excitement and cultural activities of Manhattan.

Marilyn met her husband, Alasdair at Bowater. Their marriage was spent in various states including Texas, Connecticut, South Carolina and Maine where they retired. Alasdair was a Scotsman, and they enjoyed many trips to Scotland and other European countries. Upon Al’s death she moved back to NJ to be near family. “NJ is the best state!” she often said.

Marilyn enjoyed the pleasure of belonging to service clubs and was a member and/or officer of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in every state she lived. In NJ she was a member of Friends of the Beachwood Library and the Garden Club of Toms River. In addition, to volunteer organizations she enjoyed dining, entertaining, cooking and reading cookbooks. She enjoyed mystery books, cat novels, history books and those written by her favorite author, James Herriot. Dogs and cats owned by Marilyn and Al were treated like royalty including her beloved cat Toodles who she leaves behind. In early years she enjoyed playing Bridge and back at home in NJ, monthly dominoes games with her pals. She was a member of Pinelands Reformed Church, Toms River where she enjoyed worship service and the fellowship of the Church members.

Predeceased by her loving husband, Alasdair and her wonderful brother, Bruce Engle she is survived by her devoted sister Anne Bonneau. Also, stepdaughter Sally Melnick (and family) and kind sister-in-law, Dee Engle. Also surviving are her 3 helpful and fun nieces Jennifer Kennedy (Derek), Dianna Tate (Robert), Michelle Durrof (John) and nephew Roy Engle (Leslie) and several nieces in Scotland. She is also survived by several great nephews in California and Ohio as well as a great niece.

Joy was given to Marilyn by her grand nieces and grand nephews. Twins, Elise and Lauren Durrof delighted her and together they had fun visiting, taking trips and dining out. Connor and Palmer Tate were always fun to be with and supplied endless humor and shenanigans that she enjoyed. Marilyn was a wonderful Aunt to them all and they cherished her love and witty sense of humor.

Marilyn also leaves behind many cherished friends and relatives some unnamed but including Jo Ellen, Laurie, Carol, Gale, Ellen, Joan, Lois, Greta, Annette and Dottie.

Services will be held in September to celebrate Marilyn’s life. Her ashes will be privately interred with her immediate family only at Westwood Cemetery, Westwood, NJ at a later date. More details will follow privately or through Quinn Hopping Funeral Home. Donations to your local animal rescue in Marilyn’s name would be appreciated.