Maureen Marella, longtime wife of the late wrestling legend Gorilla Monsoon, has reunited with him in death.
Maureen J. Marella died peacefully on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at the United Methodist Community in Collingswood, New Jersey, at age 85.
Maureen is predeceased by her husband, Robert “Gino” Marella, aka Gorilla Monsoon, a professional wrestler, play-by-play commentator, and booker who passed away on October 6, 1999, due to heart failure at the age of 62.
The Matriarch of the Marella family, the late Gorilla Monsoon’s longtime wife Maureen, was born in New York City to father Frank and mother Helen Hess.
She was raised in the Hell’s Kitchen section of New York City and lived in Edgewater Park and Willingboro, New Jersey.
While very little information about her background, including her education and professional life, is available, Marella was known for her kind and joyful nature.
She loved crocheting, playing cards, going out with friends, painting, and especially spending time with her family.
In response to her demise, many of her loved ones are sending their heartfelt condolences to her family and paying tribute to the late wife of Gorilla Monsoon.
Brian R. Solomon, who is writing the biography of the late Robert Marella, expressed his sorrow at Maureen’s passing and appreciated her for her help in writing his book.
He took to his Facebook page to write,
“I’m deeply saddened to learn of the passing on Sunday of Mrs. Maureen Marella, the widow of Robert “Gino” Marella–the great Gorilla Monsoon.She was wrestling royalty, and it was my pleasure and my honor to get to know her during the process of writing my biography of Gino.”
Brian R. Solomon
He further added that Maureen was a wonderful woman who trusted him and shared her precious memories and insights.
“It was a dream of mine to be able to put the published book in her hands, but we didn’t quite make it. I’m glad to hear from her daughter Valerie that she had been reading the manuscript to her and that she was enjoying it very much, so I take some solace in that. It’s dedicated to her, and rightfully so.I hope I can do justice to one of wrestling’s greatest and purest love stories as part of the story I’m trying to tell.
Brian R. Solomon
Maureen Marella’s kindness and contributions to the community will always be remembered.
Gorilla Monsoon And Wife Maureen Marella Were Married For Over Four Decades!
Maureen Marella stood by Gino, aka Gorilla Monsoon’s side, as a devoted wife until his last breath. The couple tied the knot in 1959 and were happily married for over 40 years.
They had three children: Sharon, Joey, and Valerie.
Their first child, daughter Sharon, was born in 1960 and attended Willingboro High School.
While very little information about her professional life is available, Sharon has two children, a daughter, Kelsey, and a son, Kevin Byrne, with her longtime husband, Michael.
Similarly, the wrestling legend and his wife Maureen welcomed their second child, son Joey, on February 28, 1963, in Willingboro Township, New Jersey.
Joey followed in his father’s footsteps in wrestling and was serving as the professional wrestling referee for the WWF until a tragic accident took his life at the age of 31.
The late Robert and Maureen Marella were devastated by the demise of their only son, Joey, on July 4, 1994.
Joey died in a car accident after he fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into a guardrail and a tree while driving home on the New Jersey Turnpike after a night of refereeing WWG matches in Ocean City, Maryland.
The Late Gorilla Monsoon was buried next to his son Joey, aka Joseph Marella, at Lakeview Memorial Park in Cinnaminson, New Jersey.
Likewise, the couple’s youngest child, daughter Valerie Marella Jankowski, born in 1966, prefers to maintain a low profile and hasn’t shared much about her professional life.
However, she often shares glimpses of her late parents and brother on social media.
In response to her mother’s demise, Maureen Valerie took to her social media to express her sadness and pay tribute to her mother.
She wrote,
It’s been a heartwrenching couple of days and I’ve finally gotten to where I can process it all. If you knew my mom, you knew she was truly one of a kind. She lived a Cinderella life, rags to riches and never let you forget she came straight from Hell’s Kitchen. My father’s gentle ways took off some of her edge, but it was always just under the surface…she loved her family and friends fiercely, and if she didn’t like you, you never had to wonder lol. She ruled this family with a velvet fist and we are lost without her. Happy to know she’s reunited with Dad and Joey, but sad to see the void already left by her passing. We’ll see you again Moe…you kept us all on our toes right to the very end. Love you Mom. 💔
Valerie Marella-Jankowski
Valerie has two children, Joseph Marella and Gino Marella, with her husband, Ed Jankowski.
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025, at Givnish of Cinnaminson, and Maureen’s funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. on February 22.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- The late Gorilla Monsoon and his wife, Maureen Marella, were great-grandparents to Seamus, Bristol, and Lyra.
- Gorilla Monsoon won several honorable titles, including the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1973, the Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, and World Championship Wrestling.
