Marianne "Mare" (Stoback) Derk

Hackettstown:  Marianne (Stoback) Derk, 65, died at home on March 12, 2022. Born in Paterson, NJ, Marianne, better known as "Mare," grew up in Wharton, NJ, and later settled in Hackettstown, where she lived for almost 40 years.

Graduating from East Stroudsburg State College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1978, Mare immediately entered New York University, where she earned her Masters Degree in Physical Therapy. Mare was a practicing physical therapist for 35 years, and throughout the course of her career worked for Lutheran Medical Center (Brooklyn), Morris Area Rehabilitation Association (MARA) in Randolph, and Forest Manor Nursing home in Hope, NJ. Her caring, compassionate approach and excellent skills in patient care were extended to all of the people with whom she worked, but she found herself especially interested in the needs of the elderly and home care. To that end, Mare worked as a home care physical therapist for the VNA of Northern Jersey (Morristown), Warren County Public Health (Washington, NJ). and Patient Care (Denville, NJ.) with mostly elderly patients whom she treated with great care and respect.

It is impossible to describe one's life in a few paragraphs, and this is especially true with Marianne, but anyone who knew her knew this: There was no clear line drawn between family and friends when it came to her generosity, concern, time, love, and care. If you needed her, she was there, and probably early. No matter what the circumstance, she would try to help, and if she couldn't help, she would try to find someone who could, and she would always, without fail, listen. She was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. Mare's sense of humor and quick wit made being in her company a complete joy. The feeling of despair in losing her is eclipsed by the feeling of gratitude of having had this amazing woman in our lives.

Marianne was predeceased by her parents, Alfred Stoback and Anna (Toal) Stoback.

Left to cherish her memory are her beloved brother, Thomas, her nephew Thomas, and niece, Megan, both of whom she loved with all of her heart, many cousins, and countless friends.

Services were private.

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