Marie P. (Cleary) Carlson, RN, 85, of Passaic, passed away on Saturday, January 14, 2012, at Hospice of NJ at St. Joseph's Hospital, Wayne. Born March 8, 1926 in Port Jervis, NY, she was the beloved daughter of the late Gertrude (Hicks) and Michael Cleary. A professional Registered Nurse, she graduated from White Plains, NY Nursing School in 1946 and was a member of the Cadet Nursing Corps. She married in 1947 and moved to Lodi in 1955 where she lived before moving to Passaic in 1959. Beginning in 1958, Marie worked as an Operating Room and Emergency Room Nurse at St. Mary's Hospital, Passaic, and was named as the Head Nurse of its first IV Team in 1971. After retiring in 1991, she remained close to the St. Mary's community by knitting hats and booties for newborns, which were presented as gifts to new parents upon discharge. She also knitted hats and scarves for the US Merchant Marine Corps, of which her late husband was a member. Marie was a member of St. Nicholas RC Church, Passaic. Beloved wife of the late John who passed away in 1965. Devoted mother of John and his wife Kathleen of Smithtown, NY, Eric of Lyndhurst, Lori Garcia and her husband Vic of Clifton, Susan Fernandez and her husband Tony of Oak Ridge. Dear sister of Betty McCombs of Midland Park, and the late Marguerite DeGraw and James Cleary. She was blessed with, and was a much beloved grandmother and great grandmother to grandchildren; Erica and her husband Gary, Greg, Stacie and her husband Joshua, Natalie and her husband Marc, Jeffrey, Nadia and her husband Anthony, Paul and his wife Liz, Justin, Marc and Stephen, and great grandchildren; Madeline, Elizabeth, Cecelia, Olivia, Katelyn, Dominic and Grace. Dear aunt of many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. Funeral Wednesday 9 AM at the Shook Funeral Home, 639 Van Houten Ave., Clifton, followed by Mass of Christian Burial 10 AM at St. Nicholas RC Church, 153 Washington Pl., Passaic. Interment, St. Mary's Cemetery, Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Family and friends in attendance are invited to join the family for a repast luncheon. Visiting Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the funeral home. A strong, independent and selfless woman with a generous heart; she will be deeply missed. As she always gave more to others than she asked for herself, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent in her name to either St. Mary's Hospital Nursery or Hospice of NJ, St. Joseph's Wayne Hospital. www.shookfh.com