Obituary of Irene Manik

Irene C. Manik of Freehold Township, NJ passed away on October 27, 2016 after having bravely faced a nearly three-year battle with a rare form of leukemia. Irene was born in New York, NY and earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in teaching at Bowling Green State University and Farleigh Dickinson University, respectively. She was privileged to have taught at the elementary and middle school level for 30 years, 25 of which were consecutive within the Marlboro Township school system. Irene's passion for teaching and faith intersected when she taught CCD for 7 years at the Parish of St. Clement in Matawan, NJ. In addition, Irene's strong faith led her to become a longstanding communicant at St. Gabriel's Parish in Marlboro, NJ. She leaves behind three adoring children: Jay G. Manik and wife Lori Manik of Herndon, VA, Karen M. Welch of Freehold Township, NJ, Dr. Christopher P. Manik of Chapel Hill, NC, as well as, eight cherished grandchildren: Sarah, Matthew, Katie, Hannah, Caroline, Sophie, Daniel and Jack to whom she was better known as Mimi. The family will receive relatives and friends for a wake at Freeman's Funeral Home in Freehold, NJ on Friday November 4th from 4-7pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated Saturday November 5th at 9 am at St. Gabriel's Church, 100 N Main Street Marlboro, NJ. The family intends to create a scholarship fund in her honor to provide an award to a Marlboro High School senior planning to pursue a college degree in education with aspiration of a career in education.