Irene Monek

Irene Monek (née Stropkai), a beloved wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, cancer survivor, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026, at the age of 93. She was born on May 14, 1932, in Carteret, New Jersey, before moving to Clark in 1958, where she raised her family and built a life centered on love, faith, and service to others.

Irene cherished her family. Her greatest joy came from time spent with those she loved most, sharing meals, celebrating milestones, and creating a home filled with warmth, faith, and unconditional love. A devout woman of faith, Irene lived her life guided by deep spiritual conviction. Her faith was not only something she believed, but something she lived each day through kindness, patience, forgiveness, and service to others. She found strength and comfort in prayer and was a faithful member of her church community, where she formed lifelong friendships rooted in shared faith. Irene was a loyal and compassionate friend, known for her gentle spirit, wise counsel, and listening ear. She had a rare gift for making others feel seen, valued, and loved.

Irene dedicated much of her professional life to caring for others. She worked for the Union County Meals on Wheels program, serving as a coordinator for seventeen years before retiring in May 2000. Even in retirement, Irene could never truly stop working or helping others. After retiring, she and her husband Geza moved to Manahawkin, New Jersey where Irene worked part-time at Saker Family ShopRite for approximately 7 years. During her time there, Irene became a beloved presence among customers, many of whom would wait specifically for her assistance. She was known for her warm disposition, her willingness to help, and her ability to brighten everyone’s day with her genuine smile and kindness.

Irene is survived by her devoted husband of 71 years, Geza Monek, and by her loving children and their families: Daniel Monek (wife Debbie, deceased), Diane Jelovcich, Steven Monek and his wife Cathy, and Christina Neas and her husband Eddie. She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Danny Jr. and his wife Priscilla, Michael and his wife Whitney, Jonathan and his wife Mary, Alex and his wife Amanda, Nicole, Jesse, Ashlynn, and Eddie. In addition, Irene was a cherished great-grandmother to Mikey, Bobby, and Ammishaddai.

She will be remembered for her unwavering faith, tireless work ethic, gentle strength, and the boundless love she gave so freely. Though she will be deeply missed, Irene’s legacy lives on through the generations she nurtured and the many lives she touched.

A celebration of Irene’s life will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 4pm until her blessing service, 7:30pm at Maxwell-Tobie Funeral Home, 573 Mill Creek Road, Manahawkin, NJ 08050.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to www.FamilyPromise.org, in honor of her lifelong devotion to faith and service.