Marie A. Pierce, 92, of Bridgewater, NJ, passed away on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Morristown Medical Center surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Newark, Marie grew up in Maplewood, where she graduated from Columbia High School. She and her husband, George, raised their family in Verona, where she lived for 31 years before moving to Bridgewater.

Marie dedicated her career to helping others, working in Volunteer Services at Montclair Community Hospital and later serving as the Director of Volunteer Services for Saint Mary’s Hospital in Orange, NJ. Her faith was central to her life. At Our Lady of the Lake in Verona, she served as a lector and Eucharistic minister, and she made lifelong friends alongside George in the Christian Family Movement (CFM). Upon moving to Bridgewater, she continued her faithful service as a lector and Eucharistic minister at St. Bernard’s Church for many years.

At 92, Marie never let age slow her down. Ever adventurous, she picked up pool and joined the Magic Mirror improv group later in life. She was an avid reader, a lover of all music genres, a dedicated NY Yankees fan, and an enthusiastic fan of the US Open Tennis matches. Her love for the arts inspired her to paint, creating many beautiful pieces treasured by her family and friends.

Family meant everything to Marie. She never missed a celebration, party, or milestone, always making everyone feel uniquely special. She was famously the biggest cheerleader in the stands at her grandchildren’s baseball, basketball, football, and hockey games.

Marie was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Theresa and Otto Defino; her husband, George Pierce; her two brothers, Sam and Ralph Defino; and her sister, Corinne Cordasco.

She is survived by her dear son, David Pierce and his wife, Wendy; her two loving daughters, Elaine Murphy and her husband, Tom, and Marybeth Mudrany and her husband, John; sister-in-law, Dolores Defino and brother-in-law, David Pierce. She also leaves behind nine cherished grandchildren: Nicholas (Emily), Conor (fiancée Lauren), Michael (Jordan), Victoria (Brian), Isabella (fiancé Joe), Jonathan, Camryn, Lauren, and Paige, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will take place on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 10:00 AM at St. Bernard Church in Bridgewater, NJ. Committal is private.