Mary (Shalayda) Messeroll

Mary Messeroll (née Shalayda) of North Brunswick, NJ passed away at the age of 70 on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at Saint Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ. 

Mary was predeceased by her father John Shalayda, Sr.; her mother Olga Shalayda (née Malishchak); and her son William Michael John (Mike) Messeroll.  She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, William W. (Bill) Messeroll, Jr. of North Brunswick, NJ and her adoring daughter Amy Elizabeth Messeroll-Wong and son-in-law Keith David Wong of Los Angeles, CA.  She is also survived by her older brother, John (Jack) Shalayda, Jr.; her nieces Jennifer Legovich, Stephanie Gregus, and Jacqueline Shalayda; numerous cousins and extended family and friends; and her cat Snowball.

Prior to retirement, Mary had been employed by Jackson Hewitt Tax Services.  A perpetual volunteer for a variety of non profit environmental organizations and programs, she held membership with numerous groups and regularly devoted her time to serving on boards and facilitating trainings. Mary was also an active Girl Scout her entire life, where she served in a variety of roles, including but not limited to troop leader, outdoor skills trainer, advisor, delegate, and program coordinator.  She loved the natural world and everything in it, and was always encouraging and inspiring others to learn, appreciate, and interact positively with the world around them.  Mary was also an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church in her hometown of Milltown, NJ where she had volunteered teaching CCD classes for many years.  She enjoyed participating with her local community theater group, and was a talented photographer and writer, especially of songs and stories for children.  She brought natural creativity and enthusiasm everywhere she went, and she loved sharing her knowledge and skills with others across the state of New Jersey and beyond. 
 
Mary was a dedicated supporter of the many causes she held dear, and was an especially generous philanthropist for causes that promoted the arts and education, history and preservation, conservation and the environment; but she had a special place in her heart for programs that centered around supporting and encouraging women of all ages to explore the world, develop skills, and follow their dreams. 
 
Everything Mary did, she did with the intention of making the world a better place.  She treated her friends like family, and was always quick to offer support however it was needed.  Many of the girls she worked with through Girl Scouts considered her as a second mother, and she genuinely cared about the well-being of everyone she encountered.  She truly believed in the beauty of magic and that anything was possible, and she treasured creativity, kindness, and honesty as traits above all others.   
 
Mary had a zest for life. She always made everything fun. She loved traveling and exploring, and was always planning the next adventure.  She loved all things that were quirky and cute and she was not afraid to stand out from the crowd.  But of all the things Mary loved, she loved her family the most. A devoted mother and wife, she would truly do anything for her family and those she cared for.
 
Deeply missed and impossible to forget, Mary always dreamed big and believed in living life to its fullest.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Make A Wish Foundation in her honor.

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