Mary (Marie) Theresa Asbrand

Mary (Marie) Theresa Asbrand, loving mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully on Tuesday June 11, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Marie was born in Hazelton, PA on October 6, 1938 and raised in Trenton, NJ. She moved to Hamilton Township, NJ and proudly bought a home in 1978 where she lived for almost 30 years. Preceded in death by her parents Elizabeth F. Defazio and Anthony F. Defazio, and her brothers F. Robert Defazio, James Defazio, and Dennis Defazio, she is survived by her son James Asbrand and his wife Heidi, granddaughters Abigail and Katherine, niece Danielle Kitchenman, her husband Dave Kitchenman and their children Carleigh, Jake , and Cale, and nephews Gary Asbrand, Jr., his wife Jenn and their children Megan and Sean, Dustin Defazio and fiancé Stephanie and children Madelyn and Danni, Kyle Asbrand and wife Kristin, and Tristen Defazio.

Marie was a graduate of Cathedral High School and St. Francis Medical Center School of Nursing both in Trenton, NJ. She went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Health Education in 1975 from Glassboro State College in Glassboro, NJ and a Master’s degree in Administration in 1985 from Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ all while working full-time as a nurse. Marie worked as an RN for over 40 years in various capacities including Head Nurse for the IV Therapy Team, Administrative Supervisor for the medical center, Health Educator for the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA, and Coordinator for St. Francis Medical Center Employee Health Service. Most of her nursing career was spent at St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton, NJ and she later worked for Capital Health System in Trenton. Marie was particularly proud of her work as a Health Educator providing education and awareness to women about breast cancer and her many years in Occupational Health. She loved being a nurse. This defined much of her life and she was quick to inform all her caregivers of her extensive nursing background! She also served as the go-to person for family and neighbors regarding all manner of illnesses and injuries.
Marie was married to Philip Asbrand in 1960 and later divorced. She was a devoted and loving mother to her son James and met the many challenges of being a single parent head on with help from family and friends. Marie always made sure her family was taken care of whether caring for her three younger brothers or her elderly mother later in life.

Marie moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 2017 to be closer to her son and his family. She never ceased to wonder at the beauty of the mountains, but she was a Jersey girl through and through. Marie was feisty and spoke her mind. She had a wonderful and at times rowdy sense of humor, entertaining everyone she met right up until the end. She will be missed by family and friends across the country. The family wishes to express special gratitude to the Auberge at Aspen Park and Ovation Hospice for their extraordinary care at the end of her journey.

A viewing for Marie will be held on Friday June 21, 2024 from 6-9pm at Larkin Mortuary (260 E. South Temple) in Salt Lake City. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held in New Jersey at a later date this summer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in Marie’s name to a charity close to your heart.