Obituary of Marcia J Henry

Marcia J. (Booden) Henry passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on September 30, 2024. She was 92 years old.

Born and raised in Worcester, MA, to parents Frederick A. and Mary A. Booden, Marcia graduated from Saint Peter’s High School in 1950. After high school, Marcia was employed by New England Bell Telephone as an operator.

While on a girl’s weekend in Hampton Beach, NH, Marcia met the love of her life, Neil Henry. Although she did not allow Neil to share her beach blanket that weekend, she did later agree to marry him. They were married in 1954, and it was then that Marcia took on the only jobs she ever wanted: being a partner to Neil and becoming a mother to her seven sons.

In 1960, after spending their entire lives in Worcester, Neil and Marcia moved their young family to Whippany, NJ, before finally settling in Mendham, NJ, first in the Brookside section of Mendham Township and then in Mendham Borough. They were very involved members of the Mendham community.

As a mother of seven children, Marcia was very active during their school years. She volunteered as class mom and could be found on the sidelines of any sport involving Mendham youth. If not on the sidelines, then she was serving the athletes and their families at the snack stand. She was an original member of the Mendham Patriot/Twin Boro Bears Organization and the Mendham High School Minutemen Sports Club. Later, for her grandchildren and their friends, you would find her on the fence line or in the first row at any game. Even today, she could tell you all about any player on her beloved Mendham teams. For their dedication to the community and the youth of Mendham, Marcia and Neil were inducted into the Mendham Hall of Fame and an annual award for a player on the high school football team is named in their honor.

Marcia was a devout Catholic and a parishioner of St. Joseph’s Church in Mendham for 60 years. She supported the youth clubs of St. Joe’s, and from her seat in the first-row pew she was able to keep a watchful eye on the priests, altar servers, and musicians.

Along with Neil, Marcia was an early member of Mendham Golf and Tennis Club where she enjoyed her friendships with the Nine Holers. Even after “retiring” from the game, Marcia could be found on the patio having lunch with the ladies.

Always outgoing and social, Marcia enjoyed her many friendships that she developed in the community.  Perhaps a little too knowledgeable of the comings and goings of her friends and neighbors, Marcia loved hearing about the lives of those she loved. These friendships in many ways were her inspiration during the last years of her life.

Marcia’s proudest accomplishments were her 67 years of marriage to her loving husband Neil and her seven devoted sons: Neil Jr. (Leslie) of Mendham, NJ; Thomas (Margie) of Morganton, NC; James (Sue) of Hilton Head Island, SC; Christopher (Jill) of Easton, PA; David (Kelly) of Yardley, PA; John (Michelle) of Hampstead, NC; and Andrew (Colleen) of Moon Township, PA. She also treasured her 15 grandchildren—Bill, Ted, Alex, Laura, Annie, Tommy, JT, Justine, Amanda, Connor, John, Caroline, Sam, Joe, and Dan—and was delighted by her eight great grandchildren—Theo, Hadley, Nora, TJ, Claire, Auri, Watts, and Laney. She is predeceased by her husband; parents; sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and Ed Harrity; sister-in-law, Judy Booden; grandson, Tim Foley; and great grandson, Jack Schwabe.

In addition to her children and grandchildren, Marcia is survived by her brother Freddie Booden of Auburn, MA, many nieces and nephews. She loved us all.

The family would also like to acknowledge Marcia’s caregiver Eter Kajaia.  Over the last seven months, “Eka” has provided compassion that made Marcia’s final months and days comfortable and filled with love.   

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 6th, from 3-7 PM at St. Joseph’s Church, W. Main St, Mendham. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, October 7th, at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph’s Church. Interment will immediately follow at Hilltop Cemetery, Mendham. In lieu of flowers, donations in Marcia’s memory may be made to the Mendham First Aid Squad, PO Box 131, Mendham, NJ 07945, who have been so generous in their support and service over the years.