Obituary of Marion R. Schurman
Marion Ruth Schurman (nee Snyder), of Lake Hopatcong, NJ, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Easter Sunday morning April 5th 2026 at the age of 91. She passed at home after a holiday celebration with family on Saturday. Her passing was a shock to all as she was full of life, right to the end. Marion’s children are sure there was a big Easter celebration in Heaven that day, and she couldn’t miss it, so she went quickly to be with Howard and enjoy the festivities.
Marion is survived by her beloved and devoted children—Her daughter, Christina Anne Jeffrey; her son, Peter John Schurman and their spouses, Joe and Danielle. Marion has three grandchildren; Hannah Celeste Schurman, Alexandra Marion Jeffrey & Noah John Schurman. She is also survived by her youngest sister Janet van Beuzekom, sister-in-law Joyce Schurman, and Celeste Troutman, Peter’s mother-in-law, who became a close friend and confidant. Marion was predeceased by her husband, Howard Schurman; sisters, Georgine Young, Grace Ulrich and brother, Ernest Snyder.
Marion was born in Wyckoff, New Jersey to the late Jennie and George Snyder. The Snyders provided their children with a solid Christian upbringing. Marion’s fondest memories of childhood were of church youth group (where her brother Ernie met his wife Betty, Marion’s good friend who became her sister-in-law) and home cooked meals from Jennie’s garden. Their table was always plentiful with Jennie’s well-prepared meals of fresh and canned vegetables and delicious baked goods. Marion and her siblings carried those traditions on with their own families.
Marion was a wonderful wife to Howard, and a loving mother and grandmother. Marion and Howard met in New York City where she was office manager at Pennwalt Chemical Company on Park Avenue. After years of being single, they were introduced via blind date setup by a mutual friend in April of 1964. The New York World’s Fair provided for a wonderful courtship.
In the summer of 1965, they were married in the lakefront home that Howard designed and built with his father, Peter John with a reception following at Perona Farms. Marion and Howard lived on Lake Hopatcong, raising their children and eventually enjoying retirement on the water (on the lake, and in Long Beach Island) until they moved to Morristown in their twilight years.
Marion and Howard were a great match. Together, they played as hard as they worked as both loved to be active. Marion was passionate about music, sewing, cooking, and gardening. She loved to play hymns and popular songs of her day on the organ (and wouldn’t miss the chance to tell you she had the same keyboard as Lady Gaga). Marion was a sports enthusiast who enjoyed boating, swimming and skiing with her family. In her later years, she followed tennis, ice skating, skiing and motor racing on television. She always had a favorite competitor and would cheer them on to the end.
After leaving work in New York, Marion refined her sewing skills in couture dress making courses, learned to play the organ, studied gourmet cooking and flower arranging. She made a beautiful and comfortable home for her family. Marion loved to cook and spoiled her family with delicious meals almost every day. Her children’s summer birthdays always featured a party by the lake with cousins and friends. Marion spent hours on homemade cakes and birthday dinners featuring their favorite foods. The venue was always the best spot on their balcony, overlooking the lake. Dinners always ended with dessert and a glorious sunset.
As her children grew and become more independent, Marion was able to pursue passions outside of the home. She became involved in the Sussex County Christian Women’s Club where she served for 10 years and was Chairman for 2 years.
The family will hold a private celebration of life to honor Marion and Howard and share fond memories of our time together. Arrangements are under the care of Burroughs, Kohr & Dangler Funeral Home, Madison, NJ.
Marion would want you to know that anyone can suffer from depression and recovery is possible, but not guaranteed. She was fortunate to be a survivor. Marion prayed daily for those that aren’t as fortunate, and for their families. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to charities like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), which funds research and supports loss survivors, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).