Clifton, NJ Family Church: In Loving Memory of Mariko Geller

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Our beloved sister, Mariko Geller ascended peacefully to the spirit world, surrounded by her loved ones on March, 20 2021 at 3:00am, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Mariko is remembered fondly by our community for her many contributions to our Clifton Family Church and District, particularly as a wonderful support to her husband as our Pastor, as well as, with bookkeeping and singing in the choir. She is also cherished as a loving wife, mother and friend. A full biography is included below. Let’s all join together in offering our prayers and support to the the Geller family at this challenging time.

If you would like to participate in the Viewing or Seonghwa, join the chain prayer, offer a donation of support, or send flowers or condolences, please see the information below.

Sincerely, Pastor Crescentia

Viewing In-person Viewing hours will be held at the Clifton Family Church on Tuesday, March 23rd from 7:00-9:00pm EST.

Seonghwa and Wonjeon In-person Seonghwa and Wonjeon Ceremonies will be held at the Clifton Family Church on Wednesday, March 24th at 9:00am.

Attire: Participants are asked to wear the following attire: white dress/suit for ladies, dark suit, white shirt, and white tie for men.

Safety: To protect the health of all in attendance, participants are asked to wear a mask while in the building and maintain 6 feet of social distance at all times, as well as, kindly follow the instructions of the ushers.

To Join the Chain Prayer Those who would like are invited to join the chain prayer which will begin 40 hours before the Seonghwa Ceremony. During the first 26 hours please pray for 12 minutes within the hour selected. Those praying during the last 14 hours, please offer prayer and devotions for 1 full hour with HDH, singing Holy songs, etc.

To join the prayer please use this sheet and select one or more time slots in which you would like to pray, and enter your name in the slot. If you have questions or need helping filling in the sheet, please contact Mrs. Yoko Burns at: 917-621-6699

To Offer a Donation If you would like to offer a donation to support the Geller family in covering the costs for the burial services, please click on this gofundme page. Checks can be made payable to Barry Geller and sent to the address below.

Flowers may be sent to: Clifton Family Church c/o Mrs. Eriko Endo 78 De Mott Ave., Clifton, NJ 07011

Condolences may be sent to: 18 Woodland Ave., Nutley, NJ 07110

Biography of Mariko Geller May 8, 1950 - March 20, 2021

Mariko Yoshitome Geller was born on May 8, 1950 in the town of SatsumaSendai, Kagoshima Prefecture, in Kyushu, Japan. She is the 4th child of 6, including one sister and four brothers. Her parents worked hard to care for their family. Dad was a city government employee and Mom tended to the family, grew rice, raised chickens and did volunteer work in the community.

There’s a famous quote by Maya Angelou that says “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Mariko was the kind of person who always cared about other people’s feelings and did her best to make them feel better in any way she could. From her contagious smile and laugh to her love for singing and cooking, she truly enjoyed sharing her gifts with the world. She was quiet by nature but left a big imprint in her strong devotion to her faith and love for her family.

From an early age, Mariko was inspired by America and Christianity. She attended a Catholic High School and went on to study English Literature at a local Junior College. While studying, she met Mrs. Midorikawa, her spiritual mom. Mariko joined the Unification family in 1970, but returned home to help care for her ailing father. She returned one year later and was sent out to fundraise in Tokyo and many other cities. In 1978 she was sent to England where she worked making bento lunch boxes to raise money for the movement in England.

In June of 1982 she was matched to Barry Geller in the Grand Ballroom of the New Yorker Hotel. They were Blessed in Marriage one week later at Madison Square Garden. They are part of the 1800 couple Blessing. Mariko returned to England to finish her work in the Bento business, returning to America one year later. Barry and Mariko began their family life in Chicago, 1983, while both working for Saeilo Machinery. Mariko worked in Saeilo’s automotive division, as the team mother. Barry and Mariko were later assigned to manage a machine tool sales and service center in Toledo, Ohio and it was there that their first daughter, Marry was born. Mariko cared for children while in Toledo. The following year, Barry made the decision to attend Unification Theological Seminary and Mariko along with Marry joined several months later in the fall of 1985. Mariko spent her days caring

for toddlers at the nursery, on the UTS campus. She enjoyed working under the direction of Mrs. Marie Ang. In January of their 2nd year at UTS Valerie was born.

After graduating UTS, Mariko and Barry moved to Tucson, Arizona and took on their assigned role as City Leaders, during the Inter-denominational Conferences for Clergy providence. Mariko helped to maintain the center and cared for their growing family. She also spent time fundraising and visiting ministers.

In the spring of 1988, the Gellers were reassigned to Brooklyn, NY, during the “Return to Hometown Providence”. Just after their arrival in July, 1988, Mariko gave birth to a son, Andrew. During their 3 years as church leaders in Brooklyn they met many members, including the Chesnut couple. While they were in Arizona, Mariko made a promise to Heavenly Parent to offer a child to a family in need, during a special seminar in 1987. Upon learning of her pregnancy, while in Brooklyn, the Gellers decided to offer that child, a boy, to Jerry and Catherine Chesnut. Mariko was determined from the moment she decided, back in 1987 to help another couple have a child. In January of 1990, baby Chesnut was born at the Brooklyn center.

Several months later, the Gellers moved to Rockaway Beach, where Barry’s parents live. Just prior to moving, their 3rd daughter, Tamaru was born. Mariko spent the next nine happy years in Rockaway Beach, raising children. In the fall of 1999, they moved to New Jersey. In 2006 Mariko began working at the Clifton Family Church and sang in the choir, performing at various events and at prayer breakfasts in many ACLC churches. Mariko traveled to the Holy Land in December of 2003 and participated in the meaningful events of that trip. She also represented New Jersey on a WFWP trip to North Korea. In 2006 Barry and Mariko were inaugurated as the District Pastor couple in Region 3, NJ, PA & DE. They continued in that position until 2010.

Sadly, 1 year later, Mariko was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. In 2013, Andrew, Barry and Mariko traveled to Japan to visit Mariko’s family. After some travel in Japan and visiting Mariko’s family, the Gellers returned home to New Jersey and have remained there since. After a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, Mariko ascended peacefully on March 20, 2021 at 3:00am.

Mariko is survived by her husband, Barry, and children, Marry Sun Jin, Valerie Aiko, Andrew, and Tamaru. Mariko is fondly remembered as a kind and gentle person, who almost never uttered a word of complaint. She was a blessing to her family, and our church community. May she rest in peace in her eternal home.

Support for Mariko Geller’s Seung Hwa Ceremony $3,890 raised of $15,000 goal Share

Barry Geller is organizing this fundraiser.

Created 1 day ago Funerals & Memorials

Greetings to all, My family and I are seeking to raise funds to support the Home Going of our beloved wife and Mom , Mariko Geller. Her Seung Hwa will take place on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 9am. Your donations are deeply appreciated. Sincerely and in Heavenly Parent’s Love, Barry Geller and Family

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