Toms River Mom 'Sacrificed So Much' For Her Children

TOMS RIVER, NJ— Moms do so much for everyone around them. We try to celebrate them all year long, but Mother's Day is a perfect opportunity to shout it from the rooftops and post it on Patch: Mom rocks! Here at Patch we've launched an initiative to help recognize the awesome moms and mom figures in communities like yours. This submission comes from Lori Stocklin, who nominated Marilyn O'Neill of Toms River.

What makes your Mom extra special? My mom was a single mom who sacrificed so much for me and my brother. I remember her driving this car to work with no heat, (The Green Machine) for a long time. At Christmas time she worked at night after working all day at Child's World, a toy store that is long gone so my brother and I had things under the tree. We always had what we needed: a roof over our head, hot meals( my mom is an amazing cook), and clothes on our backs.

I remember waking up every Sunday morning to the smell of bacon or pork roll and eggs cooking She would go without so we did not have to. I watched my mom fixed many things that we could not afford to hire someone to do. She made most of my clothes and my children's clothes and costumes as well. My mom continued to sacrifice for her three grandchildren, Courtney, Brittany and Chad. Nan or nanny as the kids call her was always at their games, hosted numerous pool parties, pasta parties, was at every school function and had so many sleep overs. My children have great memories and now her great granddaughter Brynley will get make memories with Nan. My mom has taught us to be Strong, Persistent, Assertive woman. I am beyond blessed to call this amazing woman MOM!

Why do you feel your Mom deserves the spotlight? I feel she deserve the spotlight because she never stops giving and still puts all of us first!

Happy Mother's Day to Marilyn O'Neill, and thank you for all you do! This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile. Know an amazing mom? Nominate them here.