Marie McEntee (née Rizzolo) of Red Bank, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2026, at the age of 93.
Marie was born into an Italian-American immigrant family and was the youngest of five children of the late Leonard and Mary Rizzolo of Newark, New Jersey. She was predeceased by her brothers, Silvio, Michael, and Leonard, and her sister, Filomena.
After graduating from Barringer High School in Newark, Marie continued her education at Rutgers College and the Jersey City Medical Center School of Radiology. From an early age, Marie knew she wanted to serve her community and make helping others part of her life’s work. She began her career as an X-ray technician and eventually became a supervisor at the historic Hospital and Home for Crippled Children in Newark. There, she devoted herself to caring for children and families in need, leaving a lasting impression on the many lives she touched.
Later, Marie found a second calling in real estate, a career she truly loved. She took great pride in helping people in her community achieve the American dream of homeownership, and she approached every client with the same warmth, enthusiasm, and genuine desire to help others that defined her throughout her life.
In 1958, Marie married her beloved husband, Edward (Ed) B. McEntee. They shared 50 wonderful years together until Ed’s passing in 2008. Together, they raised their three children, Edward (Tammy), Michael, and Lenore (Christopher Hunt), in Maplewood, New Jersey. They were later blessed with five grandchildren: Edward, Bryna (McEntee), and Alexandra, Mariel and Christopher Jr. (Hunt).
Marie was a true matriarch and a force of nature—the woman who somehow kept everything and everyone together. Her Italian heritage was woven into every part of her life, and she and Ed were famous for opening their home and their hearts to family and friends. Every holiday was an occasion to gather and celebrate. Her many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family will forever remember the way Marie made them feel at home.
With her quick wit, gift for conversation, infectious energy, and larger-than-life personality, Marie was the heart and soul of her family.
When Marie and Ed moved to Sarasota, Florida, in the 1980s, they quickly became longtime parishioners of the Church of the Incarnation. True to her nature, Marie once again found ways to serve others, volunteering in a variety of capacities. She became a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and served as President of the Children of Mary Rosary Group, among many other contributions.
One of the organizations closest to Marie’s heart was the Gulf Coast Italian Cultural Society. As a past president, she was especially proud of her work supporting the organization’s annual scholarship program and helping provide opportunities for the next generation. Her years in Florida were filled with entertaining friends and family, welcoming visitors, enjoying the beach, swimming, spending time outdoors, and tending lovingly to her garden. She loved playing golf and tennis, and she was always ready for her next adventure.
But above all else, Marie treasured her grandchildren. She never tired of attending their countless sporting events, playing cards and silly games, singing funny songs, spending days at the beach, or traveling with them on unforgettable adventures. She gave them not only her time and attention, but a lifetime of memories, laughter, and unconditional love.
Marie leaves behind a family that will continue to gather just as she taught them—with love, laughter, stories, and, most importantly, around a full table celebrating life.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 23rd from 4-7 pm at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, October 24th at 10 am at Holy Cross Church, 30 Ward Ave, Rumson, NJ 07760. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 225 Ridgedale Ave, East Hanover, NJ 07936.
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