On Sunday May 15, 2022, Mrs. Thelma LaBove loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend, passed away at the age of 95 in Red Bank, New Jersey.

She was born on April 16, 1927 in Brooklyn, New York to Fanny and Samuel Resnikoff. Her family moved to Long Branch, New Jersey where she graduated Valedictorian of the Class of 1945 from Long Branch High School. She was also a concert pianist and attended Juilliard School of Music for two years, where she studied with the renowned Ferrante and Teicher. She returned to college later and graduated from Monmouth College in 1968.

She married Joseph LaBove in 1946 and they raised two children, Lesley and Phillip. She was known for her boundless energy, intellect, talent, and selflessness. In the first part of her adult life this was bestowed upon her immediate and extended family. But in 1968, she became a legendary elementary school teacher in the Ocean Township, NJ school system where she devotedly taught 2nd and then 5th grade until she retired at age 74.
She was a brilliant and engaged woman who gave everything of herself in all her pursuits. She passionately continued her piano until she physically unable. She loved to read, discuss politics, but within her family was most revered for her baking skills.

She was known for her warmth, wisdom, and kindness. Her beautiful smile will be indelibly imprinted in the memory of all whose lives she touched.

Thelma was preceded in death by her husband Joseph, her beloved brothers Albert, Morris, and David and his wife (and Thelma’s inseparable friend) Betty.

Thelma is survived by her daughter Lesley and her husband Norman Margolies, her son Phillip and wife Janice, her grandchildren Andrew, Robert Margolies, Hannah and Scott LaBove, and her great grand children, Paige, Bastien, and Ellis. In addition there are multiple nieces, nephews, and their children whose lives she touched and who she deeply loved. Finally, she is survived by scores of friends, particularly those with whom she taught for years, who brought incredible joy to her life and who were lucky to have her part of theirs.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday May 18th, at the Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home, 10 Morrell St., Long Branch, NJ at 11:00. A grave site service at will occur immediately following the funeral. Shivah will be observed at the home of Lesley and Norman Margolies following the grave site ceremony and through the evening on Wednesday. We will also observe Shivah on Thursday evening, May 19th from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.