Obituary of Rose Marie Nowakowski

Rose Nowakowski/Nowak (Nee Malinowski) passed away surrounded by her family at her home in Denville, NJ on March 12, 2024, at the age of 65.

Born in Jersey City to Lewis Malinowski and Rose Sandman (Nee D’Onofrio) , she grew up in Hoboken. Rose was raised Catholic and went to the Hoboken school system graduating Hoboken High School. After leaving Hoboken she lived in Lake Hopatcong and Branchville for many years before moving to Denville, NJ in 2000.

Rose worked at Sheridan’s Lodge in Andover, NJ for 25 years, where she was a manager and expert mixologist .  She orchestrated and hosted the “Wacky World” dance show at Action Park.  She was a dancer and a fashion afficionado with her own signature style.  She loved bartending, cooking and shopping.    Rose found serenity and peace through meditation. Her passion for tropical climates made her an avid traveler.  Spending time with family and her children was most important to her.  Rose was a long time member of The First Presbyterian Church of Rockaway.

Rose was a genuinely loving person that was positive and understanding. Rose always saw the good in all people and they in turn loved her for it. Rose always had a smile on her face. That smile reflected what was in her heart. She was always looking to be of service and help others. She loved people and she loved life. Her battle with cancer reflected her love for life. The people whose lives she touched will miss her tremendously. Words are very powerful however they don’t seem to express what a beautiful person she was.

She was predeceased by her mother Rose Sandman, her step-father Jack Picard of Hoboken, and her brother Ed Sandman of Pennsylvania.

Rose is survived by her beloved husband of 17 years, Mark Nowakowski of Denville and her loving children Josh Scherl of Branchville and Tammy Scherl of Denville, NJ. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Alan (Kenny) Nowakowski /Debra Chambers of Rockaway NJ; her sisters-in-law Allyn Koeppel (Debbra Nowak) of Oak Ridge, NJ and Susan Sandman & Ron Cooper of Kunkletown, PA and also her nieces and nephews. 

Visitation will be held on Saturday March 23, 2024, from 12:00PM to 4:00PM at Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Avenue Denville, NJ 07834 www.normandean.com.

A funeral service will follow at 4:00PM at the funeral home.

Memorial donations can be made in her memory to The First Presbyterian Church of Rockaway or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.