Plan for the Future
Mary Catherine Rygiel, age 65, passed away on November 29, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer.
A lifelong resident of New Jersey, Mary was the epitome of a Jersey Girl. Born in Plainfield, NJ she later moved to Westfield and then onto Brick to be close to the beach, one of her favorite places. You could find Mary lounging in the sun or dipping her toes in the salty water all summer long, which speaks to her laid back and fun natured spirit.
Mary’s true passion was advocating for and supporting animals in need. She volunteered and contributed to multiple animal groups, including Noah’s Ark, Adopt-A-Pet, and Tails of Hope. Her devotion to animals did not stop there. Mary adopted and provided a safe, loving home to many cats and dogs over the years. She loved to go to the Outer Banks and see the wild horses run free on the beach while supporting the safe conservation of this endangered species.
Mary worked as a warehouse supervisor for several organizations over the years, forming strong friendships with her colleagues. She loved traveling, especially to Aruba where she enjoyed vacationing with her family. Mary was an avid jewelry lover and collector, supporting small local business wherever she went.
Mary was generous, thoughtful, funny, and the best fur mom. She lived a life full of grace and compassion by always putting others first and had a special talent for always making a person feel seen and understood.
Mary is survived by her brother Bill (Rosa) Hart, sister Diane (Howard) Burack, nieces Elissa and Olivia Burack, nephew Nick Burack, and her animal children, Sanchez, Pretty Girl, and Sweetie. She was predeceased by her parents, Bob and Ethel Hart.
