Mary Jane Celli, Ed.D., 90 of Long Branch passed away peacefully Sunday, October 13^th.

She was born in Hartford, CT to the late Dorothea Fraser Baxter and J. Welles Baxter.  She was a resident of Long Branch since 1959 and served as a Councilwoman for thirty years. Dr. Celli was very active in the community and loved serving her constituents.  She received the Louis Libutti Award for community service with her fellow Council members.

She retired from Forth Monmouth, New Jersey as a federal executive having served for 38 years.  She worked as a Supervisory Program Analyst in the Program Manager, Satellite Communications.

She was a Korean War veteran.  She served in the US Air Force and is a lifetime member of JWV Post 125, American Legion Post 346, VFW Post 2140, and KWVA Chapter 216.  She was very proud of her military service and having served her country.

Dr. Celli was a distinguished graduate of Brookdale Community College and served on their Advisory Board.  She furthered her education at Kean University with a degree in Business Administration.  She graduated from the University of Virginia with a Masters degree in Public Administration and later received a Doctorate in Education Leadership with honors from Temple University, all while working full time.  She also was a graduate of the London Business School.

She was an honorary member of Neptune Hose Co. #1, Atlantic Hose Company, Phil Daly’s and the Oceanic Fire Co., all Long Branch.  Many of her activities in the community were as a member of the Coastal Drug Alliance Committee and serving as the liaison to the Long Branch Senior Center.  She was a member of the Long Branch Rotary Club.  She served as a Trustee at the Monmouth Family Health Care Facility, on the New Hope Board of Trustees and was a Director at the First Atlantic Federal Credit Union, a trustee of the Long Branch Historical Association and the Long Branch Historical Museum (Church of the Presidents).

Dr. Celli was a Past President of the Woman’s Club of Long Branch, Inc., and the Holy Trinity Seniors.  She was also Past President of the New Jersey Federation of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) and Past President of Chapter 411, NARFE.  She also was a former member of the Long Branch Planning Board and the Long Branch Free Library Board of Trustees.

Dr. Celli was very active in her church and served as a Lector, Eucharist Minister, a member of the Holy Trinity Rosary Altar Society and a bereavement minister.  She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, a member of Long Branch Pop Warner and an Ice Hockey Mom.

Dr. Celli was predeceased by her husband and former Long Branch Councilman Michael G. Celli, Sr. in 1998 and her daughter-in-law Catherine Celli in 2024.  She is survived by one son, Judge Michael G. Celli, Jr. along with several nieces and nephews.

Visitation Thursday, October 17^th 4:00 – 8:00 pm at the Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home, 10 Morrell Street, Long Branch.  Mass of Christian burial Friday, October 18^th 10:00 am at Holy Trinity RC Church, 408 Prospect Street, Long Branch.  Burial to follow in Mt. Carmel Cemetery, West Long Branch.  Donations may be made in Dr. Celli’s memory to Long Branch Recreation Christmas Toy Drive, 344 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ 07740.