Marilyn Ference

Marilyn Janice Murray Ference, 69, of Winter Garden, FL took her final breath on Sunday, June 24, 2018, while surrounded by her family. Born September 2, 1948 in Rahway, NJ to Joseph H. Murray and Julia Cherepanya, she was an only child. She attended St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church and School and later John F. Kennedy High School, both in Iselin, NJ, where she played tenor saxophone in the marching band.

After high school, she joined the US Army and was stationed in Oakland, CA. She received multiple commendations for her service between 1968-1971.

Upon returning home, she began dating and eventually married longtime friend Richard Joseph Ference of Perth Amboy, NJ. In May 1974, just after getting married, they moved to Bradenton, FL.

Marilyn is survived by husband, Richard; daughters, Monica A. (of Apopka) and Reneé M. (of Winter Garden); son-in-law, Jeremy E. French (of Apopka); and was eagerly anticipating the birth of her first grandchild, Ainsley P. in September.

Passions included animals, cross-stitching, reading, crossword puzzles, baking, and above all, Christmas.

She served as Secretary for the Suncoast Lupus Society prior to moving to Winter Garden in 1985. Regarded as a "cool parent" by many, she was very involved in her daughters' education, always chaperoning, volunteering and serving as PTA President for several years.

A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at 10am at Resurrection Catholic Church in Winter Garden where the family has been parishioners since they moved to Central Florida. The family will receive friends later that evening from 5-8 at Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home in Winter Garden. The "Jersey Girl's" final resting place will be at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest with Full Military Honors.

While visitors are welcomed and encouraged to pay their respects after this date, the family has requested her interment be a private event for immediate family only.

The family would also like to thank the staff of Cornerstone Hospice for aiding in making her final days as comfortable and memorable as possible.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made on Marilyn's behalf to the Lupus Foundation of America, 2121 K Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20037-1830, www.lupus.org or the Lupus Research Alliance, 275 Madison Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10016, www.lupusresearch.org.

Visitation

Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home
1148 East Plant Street
Winter Garden, FL  34787
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
5pm-8pm

Service

Resurrection Catholic Church
1211 South Winter Garden Vineland Road
Winter Garden, FL  34761
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
10am

Cemetery

Cape Canaveral National Cemetery
5525 US-1
Mims, FL  32754

Memorial Contributions

Lupus Foundation of America
2121 K Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC,   20037


Lupus Research Alliance
275 MAdison Avenue, 10th Floor
NEw York, NY  10016