Woman slain in New Year’s Eve quadruple murder gets final ovation

Tearful mourners gave a final curtain call and standing ovation Saturday to Mary Schulz, the 70-year-old woman gunned down in a New Year’s Eve quadruple slaying in a Jersey Shore home.

Schulz’s long-time partner Adrian Kologi, who survived the bloodbath, attended the funeral mass, but didn’t speak publicly during the servic at St. Jerome’s Church in West Long Branch.

Just before the clock struck midnight this past Sunday, 16-year-old Scott Kologi, who is described as autistic, allegedly used a semiautomatic rifle to blow away his parents, Steve and Linda Kologi, 18-year-old sister Brittany and Schulz, in the Kologi family home in Long Branch.

Two of Schulz’s siblings eulogized their sister Saturday as kind and warm.

“She was a quiet, thoughtful and caring with a heart as big as the universe,” sister Cathy Lefruge told mourners at the chapel, still adorned with Christmas decorations.

Though retired since 2010 from her gig as a human resource specialist for T&M Engineering, Schulz led a remarkably active life – acting in community theater and tirelessly working on family and local genealogy, loved ones said.

At one point of Saturday’s service, the Rev. Doug Freer had mourners stand and give Schulz one last curtain call – a standing ovation.

“The curtain went down far too soon and too suddenly for Mary Ann,” said Father Freer. “You may have wished for another encore in her life but you do have the chance to give her the ovation she so rightly deserved.”

Everyone in church stood and clapped.

Schulz’s favorite role was of stone-faced housekeeper Greta Schtunken in “Murder on Cue,” loved ones said.

“Let all of us celebrate Mary Ann’s life that was well lived,” the victim’s brother, Bob Schulz Jr., eulogized.

Scott Kologi is charged with four counts of murder and one gun offense. Monmouth County prosecutors want his case moved from juvenile court to the adult system.

Neighbors and loved ones have said Steve and Linda Kologi were loving parents, dedicated to their son Scott.

Father Freer said he’s moved by the Schulz family’s remarkable lack of anger at the suspected killer.

“Mary Ann was a loving person. She never judged anyone and I’ve been struck by how her family has followed suit, with care and concern this week for everyone involved, and anger and judgment toward none,” the priest said.

“Mary Ann reflected both great joy and deep love, so it’s even more tragic that such a person should lay down her life by an act of violence.”