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Mays, 80, died at her home earlier this month.
Born in Fairview, Mays was a proud graduate of Lincoln School.
She later moved to Cliffside Park and was graduated from the high school.
She and her husband, Lawrence, lived in Paramus for 43 years before moving to River Pointe in Manchester 10 years ago.
Mays worked for the New York Telephone Company and, after raising her children, enjoyed a successful career as a customer service manager with Stern's and Macy's department stores before retiring in 2005.
She was a member of the Italian American & Woman's clubs in Paramus, volunteered in the library for the public schools and taught CCD at Our Lady the Vistation Church.
Mays continued volunteering after moving to Ocean County.
Her greatest enjoyment, loved ones said, came from entertaining friends and family and being with her 11 grandchildren.
Lawrence Mays died in 2015, having been married to Marilyn for 56 years.
She is survived by three sons and their spouses; Lawrence and Nickole of West Long Branch, Joseph and Karen of West Milford and Thomas and Meghan of Yonkers, NY, her daughter Laura and husband, Steve Clarke of New York City, her grandchildren (Anthony, Joseph, Thomas, Joseph, Samantha, Nicolas, Vincent, Alyssa, Abigail, Emily and thomas) and three great-grandchildren (Anabelle, Thomas and Lexi).
She will "forever be remembered for her beautiful smile and kind words," her obituary says.
The family asked that donations in her name be made to the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run 1 Eunice Kennedy Shriver Way Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 or the Shriner Hospital for Children 3551 North Broad St Philadelphia, PA 19140.
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