Mary Drill

Mary Drill of Parlin, NJ passed away peacefully the morning of March 10, 2026. She was born on April 15, 1948, in South Amboy, New Jersey. Mary was a devoted mother to her children Raymond, Michael and Sandra and mother-in-law to Cindy and Melissa. Mary was proud grandmother to Raymond, Collin, Emily and Oliver, each of whom brought her immeasurable joy. She is also survived by a step-grandson Errol Beutell, goddaughter Tara Seamanik and cousins James, Tom and Bill Brown. Mary was a cherished lifelong friend of Judy and Leo McCabe of Port St. Lucie, Florida. She was preceded in death by her father Harry Brown, mother Ethel Brown and sister Louise Brown.

Mary lived a full life. As a young wife with an entrepreneurial spirit, she started Center Deli of South Amboy then was a financial aid counselor at Devry, director of sales at Days Inn and a loss consultant in the salvage industry.

Mary had diverse interests and hobbies which included enjoying summers at the Jersey Shore, strolling the boardwalks, researching genealogy, Hungarian cooking, playing cards with friends, attending Tricky Tray fundraisers with family, digging for diamonds at Crater of Diamond State Park, perusing social media and attending Catholic Mass on Sundays. It was her idea to be a host-grandmother to over 30 foreign exchange students and touched countless lives. Mary was always on the go in her younger years, but found a quiet life at home surrounded by her pets and close family to be a relaxing retirement.

Mary was an extraordinary woman, profoundly authentic and unapologetically passionate. She taught her children strength, resilience and resourcefulness. She passed peacefully at UAMS hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas with her daughter and Jesus by her side and is joyfully reuniting with loved ones who have gone before her.

Mary desired no funeral service and wanted direct cremation. If you wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Sammyvale Animal Sanctuary of Montclair, NJ - a cause that reflects Mary’s enduring love for stray animals.