Obituary of Marina Vesna Mulcahy

Marina Vesna Mulcahy was born on January 24th, 2003, and passed away on December 14th, 2025. She was 22 years old.

Marina was born with extraordinary special needs that became increasingly complex in her later years. She lived at home with her loving family (her parents John Mulcahy and Ana Lomba, and her siblings Joseph and Ana Mulcahy) in Princeton Junction, New Jersey, until just before her 20^th birthday, when she moved to the Matheny School & Hospital in Peapack and Gladstone. At home, at school, in the hospital, and at Matheny, Marina was adored by all who were lucky enough to meet her.

Although Marina was non-verbal and wheelchair-bound, her presence was enormous. Perhaps it is precisely because of her limitations that she discovered such unique, beautiful ways to communicate. Indeed, those closest to her know how Marina loved to squeeze your finger with her little hands; caress your arm; burrow her head into the nook of your shoulder; or simply look at you from across the room with her curious eyes. When she heard the voices of those familiar to her, Marina would look around to see where they were. And in her more anxious moments, the sound of her mother or sister singing a melody would often soothe her. 

Marina was a lover of music. As Marina’s mother would play music every night in the kitchen, Marina would move her arms and shake her head to the rhythm. She also had a favorite musical toy—instrumental pipes that would light up in different colors and play notes when she pressed the buttons. She would press those buttons until the batteries died, and then some. During her time at Matheny, on the nights that Marina’s parents couldn’t be with her, they would FaceTime her from her pink iPad and play the best Disney songs and other favorites ranging from upbeat dance rhythms to more soothing tunes depending on her level of alertness and engagement.

As a little girl, before Marina required 100% nutrition via feeding tube, she loved yogurt, smoothies, and frosting on special occasions. 

She often became a little upset when her father or brother tried to trick her and sneak in a few spoonfuls of vegetable purees - shaking her head from side to side and locking her lips in disgust.

During her school days, Marina perfected the “I’m asleep” method to avoid engaging in class activities. From time to time, she would even put her hands on her face and peek between her fingers to see if anyone noticed. This method was not so convincing and was generally seen as mischievous. Nevertheless, charmed by Marina’s cuteness, her teachers loved her all the same.

The family greatly appreciates all the people that played such an important role looking after Marina’s development and well-being including Marina’s nanny, in home nurses, her primary care pediatrician, all the staff at the Matheny community, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, special needs teachers and therapists, as well as extended family, friends and neighbors.

Marina will be dearly missed by her family and loved ones, including aunts and uncles and cousins and her abuela across the United States and Spain. However, the family takes comfort in knowing that their little angel Marina is no longer in any pain or discomfort, and imagines her enjoying lots of dancing, singing, reading, acting, pretend play, talking nonstop, laughing and eating tons of sweets in heaven - free of all her limitations here on earth - and also joined by family loved ones that passed previously including her paternal grandparents, her abuelo and Uncle Tom. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 18th  from 3-8pm at Bailey Funeral Home, 176 Main Street, Peapack.  Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30am on Friday, December 19th, at St. Brigid Church, 129 Main Street, Peapack.  Interment is private.  Live Streaming of the Mass will be from St. Brigid parish Website at www.SaintEB.org (http://www.sainteb.org/).  There will be a link under e-Catholic on page.