Obituary of Marijane Ostrander
Marijane Ostrander passed away peacefully on March 7, 2025, with her family by her side. She was born on February 9, 1947, in Brooklyn, New York, to Theodore Scholtz and Helen (née Nellie Flahive). The youngest of five sisters, Marijane grew up in Flatbush, attending Holy Cross Elementary School and later St. Joseph’s High School.
On June 25, 1962, Marijane went on a date to Coney Island with Bobby Ostrander—the beginning of a lifelong love story. They married on August 26, 1967, and together built a life across several places they called home: Brooklyn, Narragansett (RI), Ridgewood (NJ), Cape Elizabeth and Falmouth (ME), before finally settling in Fairfield, CT. Marijane devoted herself to raising their three children, Bobby, Ellen, and Edward, and creating a warm and loving home.
She had a deep love for gardening, taking special pride in her hydrangeas. A passionate amateur astronomer, she spent evenings watching the night sky through her telescope and would step onto the porch to wave at the International Space Station as it passed overhead. She was an enthusiastic fan of St. John’s basketball and a loyal Yankees supporter. Though she tried her best to emulate Martha Stewart’s crafts, the results were always charming, even when they fell a little short.
Despite her fear of the water, Marijane adored the beach, proudly claiming that "tanning was her profession." She and Bob took many beach vacations in retirement, traveling from Hawaii to the Caribbean and south of France. Yet, her favorite remained the shore at Stone Harbor, NJ, where the family spent summers while living in Ridgewood. She treasured her role as "Nana" and found great joy in cheering on her grandson, Gabriel, at his soccer and football games.
Above all, Marijane was a woman with a big heart. She was sweet, kind, and endlessly loving. Her family meant everything to her, and she was deeply cherished in return. She will be profoundly missed.
Marijane is survived by her husband of 57 years, Robert G Ostrander; her children, Bobby, Ellen (Todd), and Edward; and her beloved grandson, Robert Gabriel Ostrander. She is also survived by her four older sisters, Sister Lorretto De Sales (Ellen Scholtz), Ann Tracey, Elizabeth (Betty Lou) Martell, and Jean Marie (Jeanne) Scholtz; her brother-in-law, Richard Murray; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister-in-law, Elizabeth (Betty Ann) Murray.
Calling hours will be Wednesday, March 12 from 2:00 – 7: PM at Marine Park Funeral Home, Inc., 3024 Quentin Road, Brooklyn, NY.
Burial will be on Thursday, March 13 at 11:00 AM in Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering, an organization that Marijane was, fortunately but unfortunately, connected to in recent years. Contributions in her memory will honor the care and dedication she received while supporting others in need.
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