Marie E. Holshue

MARIE HOLSHUE

July 30, 1939 – October 22, 2026

Marie Holshue, née Damato, a longtime resident of Sewell, New Jersey, passed away on October 22, 2026, at the age of 87.

Born in Philadelphia to Charles Damato and Rose Scortina, Marie was a city girl whose life eventually brought her to a horse farm in South Jersey. She met her husband, Robert E. Holshue, on a lakeside beach in Delaware while he was on leave from Dover Air Force Base. They first made their home in Blackwood, New Jersey. Less than ten years later, they moved to a horse farm in Sewell, where they raised their two sons.

Her husband’s love of horses introduced Marie to a very different way of life. Although she was initially frightened of horses and other animals, she eventually made feeding the horses part of her regular routine. She also loved flower gardening, planting fresh flowers each year and spending time tending and weeding her flower beds. The farmhouse remained her home for many years.

Marie loved being on the go. She and Robert E. enjoyed going out to eat almost every weekend, sometimes driving to the mountains of Pennsylvania or all the way to Delaware simply for dinner or to buy a lottery ticket. Her love of getting out and about inspired Robert E. to choose “Gypsy” for her license plate.

Friendship was an important part of Marie’s life. She enjoyed gym classes and Zumba with her friends, along with their many lunch dates. She and Robert E. shared a close circle of friends and made time for dinners, parties, and get-togethers whenever they could. Marie also loved reading, watching Fox News, and hosting family parties during the holidays.

Marie was a loving mother and a devoted wife. Her husband, Robert E. Holshue, owned and operated Bob’s Garage from the 1970s until his passing. She thoughtfully arranged her days around his work schedule, waiting to share meals with him after his workday and making time for their plans together.

Being a grandmother was a huge part of her life. Marie and Robert E. loved picking up their three grandchildren and, as the family affectionately described it, “kidnapping” them for the weekend—sometimes their parents wouldn’t hear from them for days. She treasured those extended visits and the time they spent together.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Holshue; her parents, Charles Damato and Rose Scortina; her sister, Louise, and Louise’s husband, Fred Iannuzzi; and her brother-in-law, Charlie Gracie.

She is survived by her sons, Robert L. “Bobby” Holshue and his wife, Lisa, and Douglas Holshue and his wife, Deneen; her grandchildren, Hannah Holshue and her husband, Andrew Rivenbark, Robert D. Holshue and his partner, Dominique McLaughlin, Shane Holshue, and Jessica Truglio (Eric Horner); and her great-grandchild, Harley.

She is also survived by her sister, Joan Gracie; her brother, Anthony Damato, and his wife, Eleanor; and her brother, Charles Damato, and his wife, Maryann.

Life Celebration details will be announced at a later date.