Anna M. Foehner

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Anna M. Froehner (nee Temple), age 101, of Pompton Plains, NJ.

Anna passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 while receiving the loving care of her family.  Anna was born and raised in Secaucus, New Jersey, and her life took a tragic turn before she could even form memories.  Her mother passed away when Anna was just a year and a half old. Left without a mother, she was taken in by her Aunt Ella, who raised her in an apartment above a well-known establishment named Mosie’s Tavern.  Mosie’s Tavern was a local bar nestled in the heart of Secaucus. For the first few years of her life, Anna believed Ella was her mother, clinging to her with the trust and innocence only a child could offer. It wasn’t until she turned five that she discovered the truth.  At five years old, Anna found out that the woman she called “mom” was actually her aunt. The revelation marked the beginning of a lifelong journey of self-discovery.

She attended A. J. Demarest high school in Hoboken graduating with the class of 1941.  After graduating from high school, Aunt Ella handed her bus fare and told Anna to head down to the Social Security office in town where they would help getting a job.  The Social Security Administration Office helped her by finding her a job as a secretary at a local insurance office. 

On Anna’s second day at work a young handsome man by the name of Kenneth H. Froehner spotted Anna in the office window when getting off the bus.  Anna previously met Ken at a church group meeting.  The first night they met, Ken saw Anna from across the room and asked a mutual friend if he could meet her.  When Anna found out, she went to the ladies’ room and hid there for the rest of the night!  She was only fifteen and not allowed to date, but she admits that he was very handsome.  Ken got off the bus, went into the office and spoke to her, inviting her to the movies.  The two hit it off great and started dating.  As fate would have it, they fell in love and on May 27, 1944 at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Secaucus, they exchanged wedding vows and became husband and wife surrounded by family and friends.

Since Ken was still serving in the US Navy, the newlyweds moved around a bit from Oregon to a naval base in Florida.  Anna also lived with her in-laws for a short time in West New York, NJ.  The couple also lived in Lakehurst where they welcomed their first born, their son Ken.  Then, after moving to Dumont, NJ, the family welcomed their second son Gregg and their only daughter Dorell.  As the family grew, they eventually settled in Wayne, NJ where they would spend the next thirty years.  In 1989, Anna and Ken retired, moving to Toms River, NJ.  Later in 1998, they moved to Chester, NJ to be closer to family.  In 2014, Anna and Ken became residents of Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains. 

Immediately after getting married, Anna devoted her life to being a full-time homemaker.  This was indeed Anna’s calling and where she flourished.  It was truly apparent to everyone that knew Anna, her greatest passion in life was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Anna than providing for and spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great granddaughter.  Anna and Ken cherished an amazing seventy years of loving and loyal marriage until Ken’s passing in 2015.  Tragedy also struck Anna and her family’s lives when her son Gregg passed away in the tragic and devastating events of September 11, 2001. 

As Anna’s children got older, she decided to get back into the workforce and found employment quickly with Valley Cleaners in Wayne where she worked as a front counter clerk and seamstress.  She worked for Valley Cleaners for over ten years.  She also co-owned a small gift shop with one of her neighbors in Midland Park, NJ for a short time. 

Anna was not only dedicated to her family, but also to her Lutheran Faith.  She and her husband Ken were long-time members of St Timothy Lutheran Church in Wayne.  In her spare time, Anna loved to go shopping with family and friends.  Her favorite item to shop for was by far, clothing.  She also treasured playing a variety of card games with her friends such as Canasta and Pinochle. 

Every Friday night, Anna and Ken would take turns hosting dinner with their close childhood friends, creating a cozy tradition that everyone looked forward to.  The men would settle in for their weekly chess matches, filled with quiet concentration.  Meanwhile, the ladies prepared dinner in the kitchen then afterwards all played their favorite card games.

Friday was also a day set aside for Anna to get her hair done.  Anna was the kind of woman who never left the house without looking impeccably put together. Whether she was headed to the grocery store or a dinner party, she treated every outing like a special occasion. Her makeup was always flawlessly applied and her outfit meticulously coordinated.  

Throughout the years, Ken and Anna traveled across the entire United States.  Anna would never set foot on an airplane or boat, so their traveling was done by way of the automobile.  They visited a variety of placed withing the US including New Mexico, the Locks in New York, The Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone National Park to name a few.  The first and only time that Anna traveled by boat was a memorable trip to Nova Scotia. 

Anna will forever be remembered as truly devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother.  She was a very special person who touched the lives of everyone around her and will be sincerely missed by family and friends.

Anna is survived by her son Kenneth A Froehner of Pompton Lakes, NJ, her daughter Dorell McNamara and her husband Tom of Wayne, NJ, Mary M. Froehner, daughter-in-law of Lakewood Ranch, FL; seven grandchildren; Kimberly Gifford and her husband Mike of Massillon, OH, Kenneth W. Froehner and his wife Kristen of Pompton Lakes, NJ, Kyle Froehner and his wife Casey of Wayne, NJ, Meghan Froehner Reyes and her husband Gino of Geneva, Switzerland, Heather Froehner Lawrence and her husband Timothy of Califon, NJ, Matthew Froehner and his fiancé Madeline Floyd of Randolph, NJ, and Kathleen “Katie” Froehner of Wausau, WI, seven great grandchildren; Michaela Gifford, Hannah Gifford, Kenneth John Froehner, Oisin Reyes-Froehner, Rowan Reyes-Froehner, Odin Lawrence and Cian Lawrence, and one great-great grandchild Laila Mae Gifford.  Anna was predeceased by her husband Kenneth H. Froehner in 2015 and by her son Gregg J. Froehner in 2001. 

Donations in lieu of flowers to the Parkinson’s Foundation (https://www.parkinson.org/) or the Popcorn Park Animal Refuge (https://ahscares.org/) are appreciated.