Mary Badichek, 72, of Lakewood, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her loving family on Friday, February 21, 2025.

Mary was born and raised in the Bronx to the late Vita and Frank Piccininni. She graduated from Christopher Columbus High School in 1970 and after received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Lehman College, magna cum laude, winning a prestigious award in sociology. She then went on to receive her master’s degree in education with a specialization in reading from the same institution. She subsequently taught elementary school in Manhattan and the Bronx in New York City and in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Mary married her beloved husband Steven on November 5, 1977. Mary and Steven moved from the Bronx to New Jersey in 1982, where they raised their children, Lisa, Derek, and Gregg, first in Hazlet, then in Holmdel from 1994 to 2021, at which time they moved to Lakewood. After her children were grown, Mary returned to work by joining the YMCA as an instructor in its after-school care program, where she continued to enrich young minds and foster a love of reading, for 13 years.

Mary was very proud of her Italian heritage. Her passions included teaching young children, particularly about reading, as well as hunting for treasures at yard sales.  She also enjoyed watching movies and TV shows, in particular the Twilight Zone, and listening to music, including classic rock and disco. Most of all, she loved her family and spending time with them. She was utterly devoted to her children, and she loved having romantic candlelit dinners with her husband Steven every Friday evening. Her ultimate joy was being a grandma.

Mary is predeceased by her parents and her sister, Betty McCarthy.

Mary is survived by her husband Steven Badichek; daughter and son-in-law Lisa and Scott Balazsi of Brick Township, New Jersey; son and daughter-in-law Derek and Jessica Badichek of Middletown, Connecticut; son Gregg Badichek of Arlington, Virginia; sister Jeanne Stein of Johns Island, South Carolina; and loving grandchildren Madelyn, Jack, Luke, and Vincent.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, February 27 from 3pm – 6pm at Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Road, Holmdel. A Funeral Home Service will be offered at 11:30am on Friday, February 28 at Holmdel Funeral Home. Entombment will follow at Holmdel Cemetery & Mausoleum, Holmdel.

In lieu of traditional remembrances, Mary’s family asks with gratitude that donations in her memory be made to:  the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, or the Macula Foundation.

For messages of condolence, or to share a favorite memory of Mary, please visit her page of tribute at www.holmdelfuneralhome.