Mary Lou Gartland

Marylou Gartland (nee Romano), 69, of Mahwah, NJ, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2026.  

Marylou was born in Ozone Park on March 17, 1956, to Joseph and Vivian Romano.  She accomplished many things in life, including running her own successful business with her friends and partners, MGM Sweats, later on building a long tenured career as a healthcare benefits manager while also maintaining a long running competitive tennis vocation.  However, what she was most proud of was her 48 year marriage to her husband Jim (James V.), raising her 3 children, JJ Gartland, Jillian Gartland-Gierek, and Jenna DiBennedettto, and being a devoted and loving Mema to her 6 grandchildren, Lauren, James, Tommy, Samantha, Olivia and Anthony.  She passed following an over 2 year battle against pancreatic cancer, where she displayed her warrior spirit daily in the face of overwhelming odds.  

She is survived by her aforementioned husband, Jim, her three children and their spouses (Amanda Gartland, Dave Gierek and AJ DiBenedetto, respectively) and her 6 grandchildren, as well as her brother, Joseph Romano, and sister, Valerie Alese.  

In her honor, her family will host a wake on Friday January 23 at Vander Platt Funeral Home (257 Godwin Ave, Wyckoff, NJ) with viewings from 2-4pmand 7-9pm.  A funeral mass will be celebrated Saturday January 24 at Church of the Guardian Angel (320 Franklin Tpke, Allendale, NJ) at 10 AM with internment to follow at Maryrest Cemetery (770 Darlington Ave, Mahwah, NJ).   

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her honor to any cancer research organization of your choosing as we all fight to create better outcomes against these diseases. 

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