Obituary of Marianne E. Merkl

Marianne E. Merkl, 60, of Gillette died on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, at home. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at St. Rose of Lima Church, 50 Short Hills Ave., Short Hills, on Thursday, Sept. 20, at 10 a.m. Interment is in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. Visitation will be held at the Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home, 2122 Millburn Ave., Maplewood, on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. For more information or to send condolences please visit jacobhollefuneralhome.com. Born in Colorado Springs, Colo., Marianne lived in Millburn for 46 years before moving to Gillette three years ago. In the travel industry for 30 years, she was co-owner with her sister, Elissa F. Merkl, of Travel Designers, Inc. in Springfield from 1986 to 1994. She then worked in public relations and marketing with Elissa F. Merkl Arts in Gillette. She graduated from Rosemount College in Rosemont, Pa., in 1969. Marianne was a longtime support person for Chemocare, now cancer hope network, and was responsible for inaugurating the Chrysalis Gala, the organizations major fund raiser. Recognized for her efforts on behalf of this organization, she was named honoree in 1990. Marianne was active in the Millburn-Short Hills Chamber of Commerce, especially the Air Fair Committee for many years, and was awarded the Chambers Member of the Year Award in 1992. She was a member of the Millburn-Short Hills Arts Center, where she was responsible for hospitality. She was director of Public Relations and Marketing for Elissa F. Merkl Arts and managing editor of Cultural Events of N.J. She was the devoted sister of Elissa F. Merkl; devoted daughter of the late Ellis and Marie Merkl; dear cousin of Joseph, Michael and Marianne Varrone and Deborah Grindstaff; godmother to Peter Bayard, Natalie Varrone and Angela Polletta. In lieu of flowers, donations to the charity of your choice or Providence Center, 2635 North 4th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19133 would be appreciated