Obituary

Marlene R. Smolinski,  Age 90,  3/15/2024

Marlene R. Smolinski, a resident of Wilmington, NC, for the past 30 years, was promoted to heaven on March 15, 2024, to see her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, face to face. Marlene passed away with family and friends at her side.

Marlene was born on October 12, 1933, in Jersey City, NJ. She grew up in Cliffside Park, NJ, and graduated from Clifton High School. In 1952, after high school, Marlene worked at the Bendix Aviation Company doing administrative work. Marlene met the love of her life, Frank Smolinski, in 1955 and they were married for 43 years. Frank managed paint factories in California and Illinois before the family eventually settled along the NJ shore in 1973. Marlene enjoyed a 25-year career working at the NJ Bell Telephone Company and retired in 1994.

Marlene and Frank attended the Catholic church during the early years of their marriage, but the pivotal event of their lives occurred in 1982 when they and their children accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and began attending Brookdale Baptist Church in Montclair, NJ. This event saved their marriage and redirected the priorities of their lives until their deaths. After Marlene was born again, her primary goals were to live a life that was pleasing to God and to be a great wife and mother. She dove headfirst into volunteering and teaching at church and was a role model of service for those around her. Marlene became a diligent student of the scriptures and spent many hours in study and prayer. We are sure that she heard the following words when she met her Lord and Savior, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

During the latter part of their careers, Marlene and Frank traveled along the East Coast looking for a retirement destination and settled in Wilmington, NC, in 1995. Since they arrived in Wilmington, they have been surrounded by the most wonderful friends of their lives. Marlene had most recently attended Myrtle Grove Baptist Church for the past eight years.

Marlene was predeceased by her husband Frank (1999), daughter Bonnie Haislip (2021), son Darrin Smolinski (2017), brother Gary Klein (2021), and parents Madeline (1994) and Spencer Klein (1998). She is survived by her children, Frank Smolinski (Sue) of Harbor Springs, MI; Glenn Smolinski (Kathy) of Tyngsboro, MA; her grandchildren, Amy Addabbo, Justin Haislip, Ryan Haislip, David Smolinski, Matthew Smolinski, Kelley Davis (Zachary), Josh Smolinski (Katie), Megan Weidner (Lucas), and Emma Smolinski.  She was also loved and cherished by her great-grandson, Noah Roberson.

The family would like to invite all to attend a celebration of Marlene’s life at Myrtle Grove Baptist Church on Saturday, May 18, at 3:00 pm. Please RSVP via her memorial website. Refreshments will follow the service.  

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Marlene Smolinski may be sent to Hope Abounds Cancer Network via her memorial website.