Irene Maher, 80, a resident of Old Tappan for nearly 42 years, died peacefully in her home on Friday, June 5th. She was born April 22, 1935 in New York City,the daughter of German immigrants John and Johanna Adelmann. Irene was married for 54 years to her husband, Jim, predeceased in 2012. She was a devoted and loving mother to Michael, married to Barbara; Kevin, married to Maria; Mary Hill, married to Gregg; Anne LaMastra, married to Steve; and Matthew, married to Molly. Irene was survived by fourteen grandchildren: James, Christopher and Sabrina Maher; Chloe, Hope and Erin Maher; Christian, Johanna and Jessica Hill; Gwyneth, Connor and Phineas LaMastra; and Allie and Megan Maher, as well as her three siblings: Albert Adelmann, married to Maria; Helen Hunter, married to John; and John Adelmann, married to Sheila.
Transplanted to Old Tappan in 1973, Irene was the epitome of “the woman behind the man,” managing the household and raising the children in unfailing support of her husband Jim. When his health declined later in life, she selflessly cared for him until the end.
Irene served her community tirelessly by volunteering with the Old Tappan First Aid Corps for over 40 years. She was a faithful Catholic and member of St. Pius X Church since 1973, serving in many capacities, including Eucharistic minister and lector. Most recently, she enjoyed participating in the Old Tappan Seniors Club, the Harrington Park Gardening Club, and Friday yoga and movies at the Old Tappan Library. Irene loved Old Tappan and cherished the meaningful life-long friendships she developed with other residents of the town.
Irene was honest, loving, empathetic, and hard-working, with an iron will but a weakness for chocolate. She was a small woman with a big laugh and, at 5 feet tall, served as a yardstick for comparison for her growing children and grandchildren. Known as “Oma” to her grandchildren, she was very proud of her German heritage. She prepared countless family meals over the years, cultivating a welcoming and joyous gathering place in her home. Independent and active until the end, she loved to work outside in her yard, even continuing to mow her own lawn into her 80th year after breaking her hip. She was a dependable and loving constant, and a one-of-a-kind whose generous spirit will continue to live on within the hearts of all that had the good fortune to know and love her.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday at 11 AM at St. Pius X R.C. Church, Old Tappan with interment to follow at Old Tappan Cemetery. Visiting hours are Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Anthony R. Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Old Tappan First Aid Corps at 4 Russell Avenue, Old Tappan, NJ 07675.
www.pizzifuneralhome.com