Mary Catherine Ungemach

Mary Catherine Ungemach, 87, of Pompton Plains and a long-time former resident of Pines Lake, a small lake community, in Wayne, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2019.

Mary Catherine was born on May 25, 1932, in Newark, New Jersey.  She was the daughter of Joseph and Catherine Mary Hackett, and an older sister to Joseph Hackett and Irene Grogan.
Mary graduated from Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Newark, New Jersey in 1950. Following high school, she worked as a secretary at Firemen’s Insurance Company and later at Hoffman-La Roche in Nutley, New Jersey.

Mary and her future husband Howland James Ungemach Jr. met on a Catholic Youth Organization blind date.  Following the first date, she told her mother that Howland was nice but that she would most likely not see him again. Ironically, they married on June 27, 1953 and enjoyed 53 years of marriage.
Mary and Howie moved to Pines Lake, a small lake community, in Wayne in 1955 and lived there for over 62 years. Together they raised six children: Howie, Cathy, Diane, Anne, Ray, and Jim.

Over the years, Mary and her family were active in the Pines Lake community.  Mary loved spending summer afternoons with her children and friends at Pines Lakes’ West Beach.  Mary and Howie were members in the Pines Lake Sailing Club from 1964 until 2004, sailing competitively at Pines Lake and up and down the east coast.  They also served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Jet 14 Class Association for over 35 years.

Mary and Howie also joined St. Mary’s Parish in Pompton Lakes in 1955. Mary actively participated in ministries including teaching CCD, singing in the choir, the Food Pantry, and coordinating the church cleaning crew. For her dedication to the church, she was awarded the Francis Medal in 2004 by the Province of the Most Holy Name.

Mary and Howie attended regular dinner parties with friends affectionately known as the “Dinner Group.” Even after the dinner party days ended, the group remained lifelong friends.

Mary and Howie enjoyed traveling and taking cruises. After raising their six children, they bareboat chartered with Pines Lake friends sailing throughout the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, the Windward and Leeward Islands.  Their travels also included trips to Alaska, Italy, Ireland, and Spain.

Mary was an avid painter who over the years completed nearly 50 oil paintings. In 2002, her work was showcased in an art show in Oakland, New Jersey. She enjoyed sharing her art with children and grandchildren.

Mary was pre-deceased by her loving husband Howie in 2006, her brother Joe Hackett, and her brother in law Jack Grogan.

She is survived by:
- Her sister Irene Grogan and sister in law Bette Hackett.

- 6 children; Howie Ungemach and his wife, Oonagh of Wayne, NJ, Cathy and her husband, Mike Miller of Holland Township, NJ, Diane and her husband, Bill McPeek of Vernon, NJ, Anne and her husband, Harry Livingston of Portsmouth, RI, Ray and his wife, Debbie Ungemach of Warren, NJ, and Jim and his wife, Cathy Ungemach of Wayne, NJ.

- 16 grandchildren 5 of whom are married. Lisa Ungemach, James Ungemach, Mary Catherine (Miller) and her husband, Rob Meyer, Sarah (Miller) and her husband, Nick Luciano, Katie (McPeek) and her husband, Kyle Sosnovik, Brian McPeek, Matt McPeek, Harry Livingston, Emma Livingston, Gregory Ungemach and his wife, Kara, Emilia (Ungemach) and her husband, Eric Huddle,  Weston Ungemach,  Violet Ungemach, Adam Ungemach, Brendan Ungemach, and Kieran Ungemach.

- 11 great grandchildren; Parker and Caity Meyer, Savannah and Austin Luciano, Grace, Brynn, and Paige Sosnovik, Peter and Evan Ungemach, and Carter and Cora Huddle.

Mary and Howie instilled in their children and grandchildren the importance of family, faith, friends, education, service to the community, and a strong work ethic. Mary continued to be a role model mastering her iPhone and social media at the age of 80. She enjoyed following her children and especially her grandchildren on Facebook, and sending family news via group text and emoji.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Mary’s name are asked to consider a donation to Saint Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes, NJ.  Donations will benefit the many ministries at Saint Mary’s Parish, many of which Mary participated in:

Saint Mary’s R.C. Church
31 Pompton Avenue
Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442
Attn: Mary Ungemach Donation