Gladys Harriett Schuster

Gladys Harriett Schuster, (nee Scerbak), age 91, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 04, 2021 in the presence of and while receiving the loving care of her family.

Over the years, Gladys was always referred to as “Harriett” to those who knew her well.  Harriett was born in Clifton, NJ and was one of two children to John and Margaret Scerbak.  After living in Clifton for some time,  her family moved to Passaic.  Harriett attended Pope Pius XII High School in Passaic where she graduated with the class of 1947.  Following her graduation from high school, Harriett enrolled at Montclair State University, known then as Montclair Teacher’s College.  There she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1952.  Succeeding her graduation from Montclair Teacher’s College, Harriett found work quickly in the Clifton School System at Public School # 5.  She was only at School #5 for a few years when she accepted another position with the Clifton Board of Education, this time at Clifton High School.  Harriett taught Accounting and General Mathematics at Clifton High School until her retirement in 1994, a career spanning over thirty-seven years.  Also during her years teaching at Clifton High, she earned her Master’s Degree in Education, once again attending Montclair Teacher’s College.

Throughout Harriett’s career at Clifton High School, she was a long time member and officer of the Clifton College Woman’s Club.  She also worked closely with the Keyettes Club which was known as an early STEM program offering General Academic Scholarships for women.  Over the years she was also a long time member of the YMCA in Wayne and had many close friends there.  In addition, she faithfully maintained lifelong friendships with her "ladyfriends" Ina, Laura, Dolores, Lorraine, and Alice, whom she met in her early teaching years.

While still in college, Harriett was introduced by some mutual friends to a handsome young man named Frank Schuster.  Frank and Harriett hit it off wonderfully and started dating.  As fate would have it they fell in love and on November 10, 1951 they became husband and wife.  Frank and Harriett settled on East 1st Street in Clifton after getting married and later moved to Sargeant Ave in Clifton.  During their time living in Clifton, the couple welcomed the births of their children.  In 1968, as the family grew, they had a home built in Wayne and Harriett has been there ever since.

Harriett was a devoted mother and wife and always there for her children when they needed her.  She was not only devoted to her family but also to her Catholic Faith.  She was a parishioner of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Wayne for many years.

One of Harriett’s most cherished past times was travel.  Harriett and her family traveled to a variety of different destinations including many of the Caribbean Islands, Australia, and most every country in Europe.  Some of the destinations were visited by plane, but most of their vacations were by way of cruise ships.  Harriett was an accomplished and talented seamstress, sewing articles of clothing and even a wedding gown!  She was an avid art collector and music fan all her life, her particularly favorite genre of music being Classic Rock.  Some of her favorite artists included The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and The Beatles.  Harriett was also the type of person who enjoyed journaling.  She would on a daily basis, keep her diary updated by pouring her thoughts out onto paper.

Aside from all of Harriett’s talents, hobbies, and interests, her greatest passion was for her family and close circle of friends.  Nothing in the world meant more to Harriett than spending time with and providing for her children and grandchildren.  She was affectionately known to her grandchildren as “Grammie.”   She treasured thirty years of loving and loyal marriage with her husband Frank until his passing in 1981.  Harriett was a composed and tasteful woman, with a steady, positive outlook on life. She conducted herself in a conservative manner, never wanting to  “steal the show.”  She had a quiet elegance about her, never having a harsh word to say about anyone.  Harriett was a truly special person who touched the lives of everyone around her and will be sorely missed by her family and friends.

Harriett is survived by her three children, her daughter Lori Schuster-Calderone of Oak Ridge, her daughter Karen Schuster of Parlin, NJ, and her son Kurt Schuster and his wife Ellen of Wayne, two grandchildren; Michael Schuster and his wife Diane of Woodbury, CT, and Sarina Nesto and her husband Raymond of Chatham, NJ, and many loving nieces and extended family of the Clifton area and Central Florida.  She was predeceased by her husband Frank Schuster in 1981, and also by her infant son Mark Schuster in 1958, as well as her brother Gerald Scerbak.

Those wishing to make a donation in Harriett’s name are asked to consider Eva’s Village 393 Main Street, Paterson, NJ 07501.  http://www.evasvillage.org