Marian Buck-Murray, 64, of Maplewood, NJ, passed away on April 29th, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Marian was born on March 4th, 1961, to Thomas M. Buck and Mary Jo (née Haines) Buck in Plainfield, NJ. When Marian was 4 years old, her family moved to Basking Ridge, NJ.

Marian graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Public Relations. While at Syracuse University she met her future husband, Thomas Murray. They were married on August 20th, 1988, and lived in Hoboken, NJ, where their first child, Annika, was born. Eventually they settled in Maplewood, NJ, where their second daughter, Rosalie, was born.

Marian attended New York University where she received an MA in Educational Communications and Technology, which led to a job in which she developed interactive educational computer programs with Scholastics International. 

Marian had an ongoing interest in food and nutrition and published two cookbooks for children:  Kids Make Pizza (published in 1995), and The Mash and Smash Cookook (published in1997). She became increasingly involved with studies in nutrition, education, and healing modalities. She trained as a Chef at the Natural Gourmet Culinary Institute in New York City and led workshops on cooking with healing ingredients to create delicious meals. Later, she became a Certified Holistic Health Counselor through the Academy of Healing Nutrition where she later served as a faculty member.

More recently, she established a counseling practice, making use of her training in Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Matrix Reimprinting and Internal Family Systems (IFS). She sent out a monthly newsletter on such topics as Creating Balance and Cultivating Love and Kindness. An excellent coach and teacher, she touched the lives of many in her professional practice. Her endearing, upbeat personality shone through her work with clients and in her online presence.

Marian is survived by her daughters Annika and Rosalie Murray, husband Thomas Murray, sisters Sarah Buck and Lucinda Alwa, brother David Buck, brother-in-law Rajesh Alwa, and her nieces, Bethany Alwa and Claire Amster, nephew Eli Amster, grand-niece Josie Shaw and grand-nephew Atticus Shaw. She was predeceased by her sister Charlotte Buck, her father Thomas M. Buck and mother Mary Jo Buck.

At her core, Marian was loving, compassionate, and pragmatic. She had a passionate love of learning and used her knowledge to enrich her life and the lives of others. She gave ongoing care to her mother, who lived to be nearly 101. She and her loving husband Tom raised two strong and independent daughters. Their home became a gathering place on holidays for family, always with delicious meals and friendly banter. We will all sorely miss our wise, witty and lovable Marian. 

Join us to celebrate the life of Marian Buck-Murray with family and friends. The Celebration will be held at 6:00pm at The Baird Center, located at 5 Mead St, South Orange, NJ on Sunday, June 22 in the Baird Café & Lounge.

Marian blessed us with kindness, wisdom, and a heart that radiated warmth to everyone she met. Her legacy is one of love and compassion, inspiring those around her to embrace life and cherish the moments that connect us all. Let’s come together and honor her memory!

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Marian’s favorite charities, Heifer International.

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