Mary Bongard

Mary Elizabeth Bongard, age 91, passed away November 19th, 2019 in her home surrounded by her loving family. Mary was born April 25th, 1928 in Elizabeth, NJ to Theresa (Custode) and John Finan. Mary worked as a waitress at Geiger’s Restaurant in Springfield, NJ for eight years after raising her family. She was an avid swimmer and generous supporter for almost 40 years at the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA.

Mary met her beloved husband of 67 years, Paul, at a school dance hall in Linden, New Jersey. Paul fibbed about his age, knowing Mary would not date a younger man, but they married anyway at Sacred Heart Church in Elizabeth, New Jersey on June 7th, 1952. Mary and Paul bought their first home on Broadway Avenue in Colonia in 1955, where they lived for eleven years and had their five children. In 1966, Mary, Paul and their children moved to their current and beloved home on Periwinkle Place in Colonia.

Mary and her family loved to vacation in Manasquan and Atlantic City each summer. She loved Andre Champagne, Rutgers Football and her beloved dogs, Fritz, Rouster, and Mr. Finnegan. Mary enjoyed dancing to “I Only Have Eyes for You” by The Flamingos with her husband. Her favorite flower was a Daisy, which she always enjoyed receiving from her loved ones.

Mary is survived by her husband, Paul, her five children Jeffery (Diane), Robert (Peter), Douglas (Dorothy), Denise (Vinny), Patricia (Paul), her eleven grandchildren Christine, Dana (Joe), Douglas Jr. (Milly), Lacey (Tommy), Michael, Heather, Rosie, Caitlin, Gabby, Kimberlee, Jon, her four great-grandchildren Josh, Sophia, Justin, Frankie and her loving care-giver and friend, Lela.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s memory be made to the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA Annual Support Campaign at the following link: fspymca.org/giving

Visitation is Friday, November 22nd from 4-8pm at Gosselin Funeral Home, 660 New Dover Road in Edison, NJ 08820. A funeral mass celebration of Mary’s life will be held at 10:15 AM on Saturday, November 23rd at Saint John Vianney, 420 Inman Ave, Colonia, NJ 07067.  She will be dearly missed by the many people that she touched during her long and beautiful life.

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