Mary Frank

‍Mary Frank (nee Pfeiffer), a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at the age of 84 in Wayne, NJ.

Mary was born on February 8, 1939, in Satnica, Yugoslavia, the 13th of 15 children born to Franz and Katharina Pfeiffer. During the first twelve years of her life, she and her family experienced the tumultuous era of World War II, and subsequently endured the upheaval that ensued in the aftermath of the conflict's conclusion. At the age of 12, she immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1951, accompanied by her parents and six of her fifteen siblings, settling in Passaic, NJ. Despite not speaking a word of English and her formal education ending before high school graduation, Mary worked tirelessly to ensure her family did not endure the same hardships she faced throughout her life.

Growing up in Passaic, NJ, Mary spent her teenage years frequenting a dance hall called President's Palace. It was there that she met the love of her life, a Hungarian immigrant named Johann (John) Frank, whom she married on May 2, 1959. Just six months later, on November 12 of the same year, John, still a German citizen, was drafted into the United States Army. He was eventually deployed to Heidelberg, Germany, leaving behind his new bride. Mary joined him overseas, on June 22, 1960, and on May 12, 1961, their son, John Frank Jr., was born. After serving overseas for one year and nine months, John, Mary, and John Jr. returned home to and settled in West Paterson, NJ. On April 13, 1965, Mary and John welcomed their daughter, Linda Frank, into the world.

Both Mary and John were skilled craftsmen. John worked as a Master Cabinet Maker, while Mary pursued a career as a seamstress for most of their children's young lives. She worked at Botany Mills in Passaic, NJ, and later at Jack Fin Clothing Company in Paterson, NJ, before deciding to retire to focus on raising her children. However, her boss couldn't bear to lose such a valuable seamstress, so he sent a professional-grade Singer Sewing Machine to her home and arranged for pants, shirts, and dresses to be delivered there. Naturally, this sparked jealousy among others in the factory. In a way, Mary can be considered a pioneer of work-from-home moms. She was also not one to sit idly by when there was work to be done. She frequently assisted her brother-in-law, Ignatz (Iggy) Frank, in his machine tooling shop, supporting the manufacturing of T's for jet engine aircraft. Additionally, Mary worked at Ken-Mar Mfg. Corp, where she meticulously deburred medical implants and components used in human joint replacements.

In 1976, Mary and John broke ground in Wayne, NJ, and fulfilled their dream of building their beautiful home. Mary found great joy in working on the house, particularly on landscaping and gardening projects. She also actively supported the Sports Friends Soccer Club in Wayne, where her husband played a pivotal role in establishing one of North Jersey's earliest dedicated soccer complexes.

Tragedy struck on July 6, 1991, when Mary, at just 52 years old, lost the love of her life in an instant. Despite the heartbreak she endured, Mary demonstrated remarkable resilience and an unwavering determination to persevere. She drew strength from the cherished memories she shared with her beloved John and found solace in the love and support of her family and friends.

In the years that followed, Mary continued to exemplify her unwavering work ethic and dedication to her family and loved ones. She poured her heart and soul into being a devoted mother, grandmother (Oma), and recently great grandmother, providing them all with unconditional love, guidance, and encouragement. Mary's nurturing nature extended beyond her immediate family, as she embraced her role as a cherished sister, Aunt, and a loyal friend to many.

Throughout her life, Mary remained deeply connected to her roots and cherished her heritage. She was an active member of Germania Park serving as the entertainment chairwoman for years, was a member of the singing club, often hosted band members from Germany during the clubs annual Octoberfest and enjoyed hours of dancing to her favorite German songs. She treasured the fond memories and the strong bonds she forged with her large Germania Park family. Mary's legacy will live on in the hearts of those she touched with her kindness, strength, and unwavering spirit.

Mary also enjoyed crafting in many forms and Christmas trees everywhere are adorned with her ornaments year after year. She also enjoyed playing cards, however it was smart to set aside her sweet and innocent demeanor when playing with her because she didn’t like to lose. Friends and family were convinced she’d often change the rules mid game if the cards were not in her favor. She took her cards seriously and everyone loved it. Mary loved cooking and baking, yet she had a habit of preparing meals that were always disproportionate to the number of people she intended to serve. It became a regular occurrence for her to leave containers filled with stuffed peppers, hot potato salad, schnitzel, and her beloved chicken paprikash (also known as chicken o'my gosh) on people's doorsteps. Unfortunately, a significant number of people have discovered themselves burdened with a few extra pounds, all thanks to the time Mary spent in her kitchen.

On Tuesday, May 30, 2023, Mary peacefully passed away in her sleep, leaving behind a legacy of love, resilience, and determination. She is survived by her son John Frank, Jr. and his wife Susan; daughter Linda (nee Frank) Carlucci and her husband Paul; her grandchildren Alexandra Frank and her fiancé Alec Rhoads; Robert Frank, Madison (nee Carlucci) Bingler and her husband Justin; Joseph Carlucci; and her great grandson Joseph Bingler. She is also survived by her brother Stefan (Steve) Pfeiffer and his wife Gloria, sister-In-law Gertrude (nee Gruberman) Pfeiffer, and many nieces and nephews. May she rest in eternal peace, reunited with her beloved John, and may her inspiring spirit continue to guide and inspire all those whose lives she touched.