- Date Of Birth: May 20, 1927
- Date Of Death: October 22, 2018
- State: New Jersey
At Mary’s request, there will not be visitations or services. Mary preferred to be remembered as living the life she loved without the sadness and grief present at a funeral. Mary was born in Nutley in 1927 to Mary and Fred Bithell. She was a 1945 graduate from Nutley High School where she was President of the National Honor Society and Captain of the Nutley High School cheerleaders.
According to her yearbook, she was class “hepcat” and best dancer. She was Office Manager at George Homer Martin Advertising in Newark prior to marriage. In 1950, she married William Van Schoick and one month later followed him to Marine Air Station – Cherry Point, NC where he has been recalled to service. After service, they returned to Nutley where they raised four children: Jan Van Schoick, Nancy Oyan Grimsley and husband Michael, William C. Van Schoick and wife Darlene, and Jill Johnston and husband Robert. Her husband Bill passed away in 2003.
Besides her children she is survived by four grandchildren Margaux Oyan, Sarah Giberson and husband Ryan, Jack Van Schoick, and Olivia Van Schoick and one great-grandson, Jonathan Sauvlet. She was pre-deceased by a son-in-law John Oyan and a grandson Jeffrey Oyan. She is also survived by two sisters-Marjorie McArthur and her husband Arthur and sister Marilyn Cassie. She was loved by many nieces and nephews. She had been Secretary to the Principal of Yantacaw School (Nutley) for 20 years, an officer in the Nutley Women’s Club, a Cub Scout den mother, a member of the Town PTA Council, and a member of the Franklin Reformed Church.
