Mary M. Black

Mary M. Black (née Slattery) passed away peacefully on October 10, 2026, in the home of her daughter Patricia Black and her husband Robert.

Born in Hoboken, NJ, Mary raised her family in Garwood, NJ. For the past 28 years she has lived in Cranford, NJ. Prior to her retirement, she had a career as an office manager at Belting Industries in Kenilworth, NJ.

Mary was an avid reader and a familiar, frequent visitor at the Cranford Public Library. She loved engaging in lively conversations about books, history, politics, and her beloved Irish heritage. Above all, Mary loved being surrounded by her family and friends. Her greatest joy was proudly watching her grandchildren grow into young adults, always expressing genuine curiosity about their lives and understanding what made each of them special. She showed up for their milestone moments (big or small) and often spoke of how grateful and proud she was to be a part of their stories.

She will be fondly remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, friend, and neighbor.

Mary is survived by her devoted children: daughters Patricia Black and her husband Robert Wasky, Margaret Twaddle, and Maureen Jacobi and her husband Eugene; and her son, James Black and his wife Christine. She is also survived by her son-in-law, Bruce Higgins and his wife Janice, and many nieces and nephews.
She leaves behind a legacy of love through her eight grandchildren: Brian and his wife Frankie, Kevin and his wife Erjola, Daniel and his fiancée Madison, James and his fiancée Hannah, Marilyn and her fiancé Kyle, Caitlin and her boyfriend James, Elizabeth and her boyfriend Adam, and Thomas; as well as her four great-grandchildren: Hugo, Finn, Kieran, and Nora.

Mary was predeceased by her loving daughter, Deborah Ann Higgins; her lifelong friend and the father of her children, Robert Black; and her siblings, Eileen, Teresa, John, James, Thomas, and Kathleen.

Mary is survived by her devoted children: daughters Patricia Black and her husband Robert Wasky, Margaret Twaddle, and Maureen Jacobi and her husband Eugene; and her son, James Black and his wife Christine. She is also survived by her son-in-law, Bruce Higgins and his wife Janice, and many nieces and nephews.

She leaves behind a legacy of love through her eight grandchildren: Brian and his wife Frankie, Kevin and his wife Erjola, Daniel and his fiancée Madison, James and his fiancée Hannah, Marilyn and her fiancé Kyle, Caitlin and her boyfriend James, Elizabeth and her boyfriend Adam, and Thomas; as well as her four great-grandchildren: Hugo, Finn, Kieran, and Nora.

Mary’s family will plan a Celebration of Life at a later date. Along with your thoughts and prayers, her family would greatly appreciate donations made in Mary’s memory to her favorite charities: Disabled American Veterans (DAV.org) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).

Arrangements are entrusted to Jersey Shore Cremation Service, 43 Taylor Avenue, Manasquan, NJ - JerseyShoreCremation.com