Lillian Leonore Ghislaine Annie Gurley, 79, of Manchester died peacefully on Sunday, October 5^th surrounded by her loving children. Born in Namur, Belgium, raised in the Bronx, NY, she raised her family in Jackson, NJ, with the love of her life, Leonard W. Gurley.  Following his passing, she moved to Lakewood, NJ for a short time and spent her remaining years in Manchester, NJ.

A faithful Christian, Lillian was an avid student of the Bible and was passionate about her faith.  Over her lifetime of Bible studies, she was a student, a teacher, a mentor, and a friend.  Many of her closest relationships were formed through the sharing of her faith.

Along with her faith, she devoted her life to her family.  She adored being a wife and mother, and her caring heart touched the lives of everyone she met.  Lillian loved and was proud of her children and grandchildren. She was engaged in their lives and they loved her dearly for it. She had an active social life; she would listen, she would talk, and she would make you laugh even in the toughest situations. She was the neighborhood Mom whose home was open to all.  She valued learning throughout her life and challenged herself with puzzles and games of all types.

Her family and those who knew her will miss her tremendously. She was comforted by her faith and was at peace with the end of her physical life.

She was pre-deceased by her husband, Leonard W. Gurley in 2002, their daughter, Tracy in 1971, and her grandson, Michael Teinert in 2021.

Surviving are her children: Lisa Gurley and her husband David Schaffer (New York, NY), Laura Gurley (Lake Stevens, WA), Lyndsay Cohen and her husband Michael (Cedar Grove, NJ), and Lawrence Gurley and his wife Amanda (Blackwood, NJ); her grandchildren: Isabella Gurley, Aryanna Cohen, Emilia Cohen and Joseph Gurley; and her cats Tinker and Jigsaw, who are staying in the family.

Visitation will be held at the Colts Neck Community Church, 25 Merchants Way, Colts Neck, NJ on Monday, October 13^th from 10am until the time of the funeral service at 11am.  A light luncheon will be served immediately following the service. Interment will follow on Tuesday, October 14^th at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, 342 South Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY at 12 noon.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Lillian’s name to either of the following:

The American Heart Association here:

https://www.heart.org/en/why-give

or

The Associated Humane Society at Forked River here: https://ahs.givecloud.co/fundraisers/lillian-gurley-memorial

The Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home, Long Branch is in charge of arrangements.