
It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of our beloved wife and mother, Melissa Marks. She passed at home on April 3, 2025, at the age of 68, surrounded by family. We will remember her tremendous heart and caring for others, creativity, love of music, and passion for all things cooking.
Melissa was born on October 14, 1956 in New York City, to Bernard and Estelle Marks. When Melissa was a baby, their family emigrated to London, England, where she predominantly grew up. A child of the 1960’s, Melissa listened to artists from the “British Invasion” and Motown. Melissa loved to dance and sing, even if off-tune (which she acknowledged).
At the age of 19, Melissa returned to New York, where she attended the Fashion Institute of Technology to pursue a degree in textile design. Melissa then worked at The Cloth Company, selling fabrics to commercial businesses. Melissa later met her husband Harry, while living in the Morningside Heights neighborhood adjacent to Columbia University. After 7 years together, the two married and eventually their children, Natalie and Paris were born.
While pregnant with her daughter, Melissa graduated from CUNY Hunter College, where she studied Anthropology. Her pursuit of learning would not end there. Even while juggling the care of two young kids and a household, Melissa put herself through night classes at the Institute for Culinary Education (formerly Peter Kump’s New York Cooking School). She diligently earned a culinary certification and honed her skills to become and wonderful cook and baker.
She is survived by her husband, Harry, and children, Natalie and Paris.
Melissa is predeceased by her father, Bernard Marks, mother, Estelle Marks, and sister, Adrienne Marks.
Melissa’s family will have visitation on Monday, April 7, 2025 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Service will be held at 12:30 PM at the funeral home with a burial service to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Nyack, NY.
The family will sit Shiva that evening, at their home, and invite you to celebrate Melissa’s life.
In lieu of flowers, please mail donations to the Humane Society of Bergen County (221-223 Stuyvesant Ave, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071) with a memo of, “in memory of Melissa Marks.”