In Memory of Mariko Geller
In Memory of Mariko Geller
Mariko Geller
Spouse: Barry Geller
Children: Marry Sun Jin, Valerie Aiko, Andrew, and Tamaru
Birth Date: May 8, 1950
Blessing: July 1, 1982
Ascension Date: March 20, 2021
Mariko Yoshitome Geller was born on May 8, 1950 in the town of Satsuma Sendai, Kagoshima Prefecture, in Kyushu, Japan. She is the fourth child of six, 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 is 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, Mariko 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 second year at UTS, Valerie was born.
After graduating from 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, they 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. Mariko made a promise to Heavenly Parent to offer a child, during a special seminar in 1987. A few years later, upon learning of Mariko’s pregnancy, the Gellers decided to offer that child to another couple. Mariko was very glad to be able to help another couple have a child.
Several months later, the Gellers moved to Rockaway Beach, where Barry’s parents live. Just prior to moving, their third daughter Tamaru was born. Mariko spent the next nine years in Rockaway Beach, raising children. In the fall of 1999, they moved to New Jersey. Mariko worked as a bookkeeper at True World Group. In 2006, she began working at the Clifton Church and sang in the choir, performing at various events and at prayer breakfasts in many American Clergy Leadership Conference 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 Women’s Federation for World Peace trip to North Korea. Barry and Mariko were inaugurated in 2006 as the District Pastor Couple in Region 3, (including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware). They continued in that position until 2010.
Sadly, one 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, they returned home to New Jersey. Barry and Mariko have remained in New Jersey ever since. After a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease, Mariko ascended peacefully on March 20, 2021 at 3:00 AM.
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.
Viewing
In-person Viewing hours will be held at the Clifton Family Church on Tuesday, March 23 from 7:00-9:00 PM (EST).
To join the Viewing Ceremony at 7:00 PM by Zoom please click this link at the time of the ceremony
Seonghwa and Wonjeon
In-person Seonghwa and Wonjeon Ceremonies will be held at the Clifton Family Church on Wednesday, March 24 at 9:00 AM (EST).
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.
Virtual Participation: To join the Seonghwa Ceremony at 9:00 AM (EST) by Zoom please click this link at the time of the ceremony
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:
Barry Geller
18 Woodland Ave.,
Nutley, NJ 07110
