Kathleen Marie Sternick

Kathleen Marie Sternick (nee Markisz), age 53, formerly of Franklin Lakes passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 23, 2019.

Kathleen was born and raised in Wayne and was one of two daughters to Stanley and Patricia Markisz.  As a young girl, she took music lessons and enjoyed playing the piano and the flute.  She was also a Girl Scout and received the highest honor that the Girl Scouts had at that time.

Kathleen put aside her formal education, entering into motherhood at an early age, and welcomed her first two children.  She married her childhood sweetheart John Weber in 1982 and the couple settled in Easton, PA.  They lived there for several years when in 1989, tragedy struck Kathleen’s life and her son George Jacob Weber passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.  Difficult and troubling emotional times descended on the couple’s lives and their marriage unfortunately ended.  Later in 1993 Kathleen welcomed her fourth child and married her second husband James Sternick.  They settled in Franklin Lakes for a time and also lived in Garfield.  Throughout her life, Kathleen worked for various companies, mostly employed at a clerical position.  

Kathleen was a very spiritual person and was devoted to her Christian faith.  She was a “free spirit” of sorts and was always willing to help others.  She dedicated much time to Alcoholics Anonymous and would often offer assistance to people in recovery.  She was a volunteer at Eva’s Kitchen in Paterson, as well as the Spring House Women’s Shelter for many years.  Kathleen was an exceptional writer and wrote mostly poetry and philosophical quotes.  She was a voracious reader, particularly of spiritual literature.  Kathleen loved being outdoors and in touch with nature.  She was the kind of person that would take notice of so many details and yet find the beauty in such simple things. Kathleen also enjoyed sewing and cooking.  She was a very affectionate person and there was no doubt that she loved and cherished her family.  Kathleen had a special place in her heart for all four of her children.  She learned many nursery rhymes as a child and through the years and passed them down to her children.  Kathleen also treasured her relationship with her grandfather Ralph McPhee.  Kathleen was a very special person who touched the lives of many people.  She will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.

Kathleen is survived by her daughters Christian Schembre and her husband Kerry of Lambertville, and Laura Brigley of Pequannock; one son John Grew of Athens, Greece; one sister Kristine Steele of Old Town, ME; three grandchildren Vienna Schembre, Max Schembre, and Luca Schembre, all of Lambertville; her mother Patricia Van Steyn, and her step-father Garry Van Steyn.  She was predeceased by her son George Jacob Weber in 1989, as well as her father Stanley Markisz in 2018 and grandfather Ralph McPhee in 1975.

Those wishing to make a donation in Kathleen’s name are asked to consider Eva’s Kitchen, 16 Spring St, Paterson, NJ 07501 or the charity of their choice.