Arlene Louise Meringer

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Arlene Louise Meringer (nee Van DeMoere), age 92, of Wayne, NJ.

Arlene passed away peacefully on Wednesday December 13, 2023 while receiving the loving care of her family.  She was born in Paterson, NJ and was the only child to Louis and Claire Van DeMoere.  Arlene spent her formative years in Fair Lawn, NJ.  While she was a teenager, her family moved to Paterson where she attended Eastside High School.  While a student at Eastside High, Arlene was a Drum Majorette with the Eastside High School Marching Band.  Arlene was a vibrant and determined young girl and emerged as a standout student at Eastside HS.  Her teachers recognized her tenaciousness and her leadership skills and encouraged Arlene to embark on a journey in the world of business.  

Following her graduation from Eastside High School with the class of 1948, Arlene found employment quickly as a secretary at the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.  She worked for Metropolitan Life before accepting another position as a secretary at Dumont Company in Oradell, NJ.  While employed at Dumont, Arlene worked alongside a handsome young man by the name of Joseph Meringer, an Electronics Technician.  Arlene and Joseph got to know each other well and started dating.  As fate would have it, they fell in love and on October 14, 1951 Arlene and Joseph became husband and wife.  The couple exchanged wedding vows in St Mary’s RC Church in Pompton Lakes.  

Arlene and Joseph, having married made a home in Oakland for two years, then the couple relocated to Wayne Township in 1953 where they remained for the rest of their lives together and raised their four sons, James, William, Donald, and Mark.   

Shortly after getting married, Arlene made the heartfelt decision to transition into the role of a homemaker, embracing the joys and responsibilities of creating a warm and nurturing home for her family.  After her children had grown, Arlene decided to re-enter the workforce and took a part-time job at Meyer’s Department Store in Wayne.  

Arlene, a compassionate and devoted mother, dedicated her life to the ongoing care for her special needs son, Mark, while simultaneously serving as a member, treasurer, and long-time president of the North Haledon Association for Exceptional Children, tirelessly advocating for support of the community, and providing year-round activities for special needs children.

Those who knew Arlene best, knew that her greatest passion in life was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Arlene than spending time with and providing for her family.  Arlene and Joseph cherished more than fifty years of loving and loyal marriage together until Joseph’s passing in 2002.  Through the years, Arlene treasured her yearly two-week vacations at Lake Willoughby in Northern Vermont.  She and her family also enjoyed spending time at the Jersey Shore.  Arlene, an incredibly selfless and nurturing woman, not only devoted herself to her immediate family but also shouldered the responsibilities of caring for numerous elderly extended family members, embodying love, and compassion in every aspect of her extensive caregiving role.  In 2018, Arlene’s heart was broken when her dear son Mark passed away.

Arlene was not only devoted to her family but was also truly dedicated to her Catholic Faith.  She and Joseph were founding members of Our Lady of Consolation Church in Wayne, NJ.  There, Arlene also volunteered and was extremely active.  

Arlene will be forever remembered as a truly dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.  She touched to lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.

Arlene is survived by her three sons; James Meringer and his wife Dona of Wayne, William Meringer and his wife Donna of Randolph, NJ, and Donald Meringer of Parkton, MD,  six grandchildren; Elizabeth Gephardt and her husband Grant of Wayne, NJ, Patricia Meringer of Wayne, NJ, Joseph Meringer of Wayne, NJ, Lisa Meringer of Bridgewater, NJ, William Meringer and his wife Jacqueline of Newton, NJ, and Cynthia Meringer of Wallingford, Ct, and ten great grandchildren; Evelyn, Anna, Riley, Peyton, Isabel, Finley, Harper, Gunnar, Corrado, and Carmine.  Arlene was predeceased by her husband Joseph Meringer in 2002, and by her son Mark Meringer in 2018.