Mary Ann Schulz, Long Branch Murder Victim, Dies At 70

LONG BRANCH, NJ - By now, many area residents are familiar with the tragic murders of Steven, Linda and Brittany Kologi, who all died on New Year's Eve when authorities say they were shot at close range with a semi-automatic rifle by their 16-year-old son.

But many don't know too much about Mary Ann Schulz, 70, who died with them. She lived in the multi-family home on Wall Street.

She was celebrating New Year's Eve that night with her companion and soulmate, Adrian Kologi and his family. Adrian Kologi, another son and a friend managed to escape the carnage. She did not.

"She adored Adrian’s son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Linda Kologi of Long Branch, and loving granddaughter, Brittany, who also passed away in this senseless act of violence," according to her obituary provided by the Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home.

Mary Ann was born in Long Branch. She was a graduate of Red Bank Catholic High School and Manor Junior College. She retired as a human resource specialist with T&M Engineering in 2010.

"She had a warm presence, generous spirit, and her smile lit up the room," her obituary states.

She enjoyed acting and attending theater art performances. Mary Ann was an actress with Murder on Cue – a murder mystery dinner theatre -- where she performed as her favorite character, Greta Schtunken, the stone-faced housekeeper. She also held the role as the head juror in the movie, Deathrow, filmed in Oceanport.

Not only was Mary Ann the family historian, she shared her expertise and passion for genealogy with anyone and everyone. She served on the executive board for the Monmouth County Genealogy Society, and was actively involved in the German special interest and memoirs groups and the publicity committee. She also co-founded the African-American special interest group and worked tirelessly on the area's restoration projects.

"I have the very unhappy task of announcing that our friend, colleague in MCGS and manager of this Facebook page, Mary Ann Schulz, was killed on New Year's Eve," according to a post on the society's Facebook page. "She will be very much missed by our organization and each one of us individually."

Mary Ann was predeceased by her parents, Anna and Robert Schulz. In addition to her partner, she is survived by her loving eight siblings: Robert, Jr., Calgary, Canada; Riccardo, Pittsburgh, PA; Cathy & Ray Lefurge, Vernon, CT; Michael and Alexis Schulz, West Long Branch; Stephen Schulz, West Long Branch and his partner Christine D’Onofrio, Brick; Jane and Jim Wallace, San Francisco, CA; Susan and Ramon Morris, Long Branch; David and Heidi Schulz, Farmingdale; her aunt, Pietra Stella, Eatontown, and many cherished cousins, nieces/nephews and greatnieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 5 at the Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home, 10 Morrell Street, Long Branch. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6 at St. Jerome R.C. Church on Wall Street in West Long Branch. Burial will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Wall Street, West Long Branch. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jerome School or the Monmouth County Genealogy Society. For condolences to the family, visit www.woolleyboglioli.com.

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