First Woman River Edge Police Dispatcher

Marilyn 'Mary' Farrell (nee Howard) of River Edge, passed peacefully on November 10.

Born in the Bronx, NY and moved to River Edge in 1966. Before getting married, Mary worked for AT&T in New York. She raised five children. After her husband’s sudden death in 1973, Mary worked for the River Edge Court Clerk and then became the first woman dispatcher for the River Edge Police Department. She went back to work full time for AT&T until 1996. After retirement, she worked part time with the Paramus Police Department. A parishioner of St. Peter The Apostle Church and a member of the Rosary Society.

Beloved wife of the late Michael J. Farrell. Loving mother of Michael and his wife Becky of Wilton, CT, William and his wife Beth of Greenwood Lake, NY, the late Stephen and his wife Maryann of River Edge, daughter Jane Farrell Kirk of River Edge, and Timothy and his wife Deidre of Boulder, CO. Loving sister of John Howard and his wife Mary of Dobbs Ferry, NY, and the late Peggy Collins of River Edge. 

Loving grandmother to Michael, Tyler, Brelyn, Lauren, Caitlin, Drew, Erin, Megan, Matthew, Madison, Luke, and Mallory. Mary is survived by many loving nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.  

Donations in Mary’s memory made be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, American Heart Association, Melanoma Research Foundation or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.