Marian B. Carolan, 95, of Succasunna, NJ, died Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, NJ, following a brief illness.  Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, January 25 at the Davis-Hepplewhite Funeral Home, 96 Main Street, Succasunna, N.J. 07876 (973) 584-7264. (davishepplewhitefh.com) Funeral Mass is at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart R.C. Church, 4 Richards Avenue, Dover, N.J. 07801. Graveside service follows the Funeral Mass at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, 85 Pleasant Hill Road, Chester, N.J.

Mrs. Carolan was born on November 27, 1922, to Lewis and Hazel Baxter of Kearny, N.J. She attended and graduated from Kearny High School in 1940. WWII interrupted a whirlwind courtship with Edward F. “Babe” Carolan, Sr., whom she would later marry on May 15, 1948. During the war, Marian learned bookkeeping and became proficient on the comptometer. During this time, she would also parlay her love of horses into a side job – riding and exercising the horses of soldiers sent abroad until they returned. After the war and subsequent marriage, Marian and “Babe” lived in Kearny until they moved to Succasunna 59 years ago. Mrs. Carolan was a busy homemaker, raising five children, while volunteering in PTA, transporting kids to various activities, learning to create beautiful stained-glass pieces, being a parishioner at Sacred Heart, and taking yoga/exercise classes. She was also a dog lover and enjoyed learning about different breeds – while also having a family dog of her own to enjoy. In recent years, Marian loved to have lunch at Bryan’s Luncheonette in Succasunna. She became such a frequent patron that she had her own booth, her own tea cup, and she knew everyone who worked there by name. In November, the owner, Trish, and the staff hosted a 95^th Birthday Party for Marian. In memory of her, the family is keeping her “tab” going to be used by Bryan’s to provide meals for those in need – Marian’s Meals.

Mrs. Carolan was predeceased by her husband, Edward F. “Babe” Carolan, Sr. in 1998. She is survived by her children: Karen E. Carolan (John Harris), of Washington, D.C; Pamela J. Adams (Michael), of Bethesda, MD; Edward F. Carolan, Jr. (Karen), of Delray Beach, FL; Paul L. Carolan (Jill), of Fort Worth, TX; and, Douglas J. Carolan (Ann), of Kiawah Island, SC. She also leaves eight grandchildren — Courtney Stanley (Nick), Rebecca Adams, Stephen Adams (Stephanie), Cristan Harris (Jerrel), Sean-Michael Carolan, Tyler Carolan, Brooke Carolan, Megan Carolan and three great-grandchildren – Jerrel Paul Harris, Savanna June Harris, and Lilah Charlotte Siew. The family wishes to thank her wonderful caregivers over the past few years – Ken, Laraine, Branka, Roxana and Joyce.

In lieu of flowers, donations may also be made to St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, 575 Woodland Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940. Sthuberts.org