Mary Lou Baisch

Mary Lou Baisch (nee Kammerer) age 88, of Wayne passed peacefully on Monday, June 28, 2021.

Mary Lou was born to Herbert and Edna Kammerer in Hawthorne, NJ.   The family lived in Paterson where she graduated from Central High School with the Class of 1951. Mary Lou had many fond childhood memories of summers in Oakland by her grandparents’ home.  It is there that she learned to fish, play in the water by the river, and developed a remarkably close relationship with her Uncle Henry, which continued throughout her life.

In high school, Mary Lou began dating a boy named Charles “Charlie” Baisch and while he was teaching her to drive with his new car, she hit the gas instead of the brake and they had a minor accident.  It was love at first “hit” and Charlie always teased her that she agreed to marry him because she smashed his new car.   Charlie then borrowed money from his brother to purchase an engagement ring and they married on June 27, 1953, at the 1st Baptist Church in Paterson.  They honeymooned in Daytona Beach, Florida and moved into the first floor of Charlie’s parents’ home at 424 McBride Avenue in Paterson where they lived until they bought their first and only home in Wayne, New Jersey on December 23, 1963.  There they lived and raised their family for over fifty-five years.

They called their home “The Welcome Home Inn” for it had a revolving door welcoming “all”.  Mary Lou had a true gift for “hospitality” and loved being a wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker.  One of the highlights of their home, was the inground swimming pool which was used continually by their four daughters Jane, Laurie, Judy and Diane and their countless friends.  In fact, “Mrs. Baisch” to many was well loved for she made everything fun, always had ice cream and cupcakes ready, and found joy in showering love to all.  When the grandchildren arrived, they turned their basement into a “Kids Clubhouse”, heated the inground pool and you would find Grandma heating the matching pool towels one by one as she hugged and wrapped each child coming out of the pool.  To Mary Lou and Charlie, the more the merrier at the well-manicured, tastefully decorated “Welcome Home Inn”.

Mary Lou will be lovingly remembered for being easy-going, compassionate, caring and generous to a fault. Her home was always open to family and friends. For many years she was the organist at the West Side Methodist Church in Paterson and often held choir practice in her home while still remaining active at her home church, The Preakness Baptist Church in Wayne.  In fact, when not playing at West Side, you would find her playing duets with her husband Charlie before every service at Preakness.

“Family” meant everything to Mary Lou, especially her beloved husband Charlie and her four daughters and eventually their families.  She was a constant “encourager”, always looking at the positive side of life.  That coupled with her love for “all” and reaching out to others in need, you would find her giving her “last dollar” to even a stranger whom she referred to as “strangers are friends we have not met yet”!

Mary Lou was truly “sweet” from her personality, to eating their children’s Easter bunnies while they were at school, to finding her sitting on the couch eating a fudgesicle when they returned home.  In fact, she was truly a “chocoholic” and in her later years, would hide candy for those late-night binges.  That legacy has truly been passed on too!

Her love for music began early on, learning to play the piano at a young age.  It not only gave enjoyment to those that listened but soothed her soul and brought her peace.   She could never walk pass her piano without stopping to play a song or two even late at night.  She found comfort in playing many old-time hymns which brought depth to her faith in Jesus Christ.

She was the loving wife of sixty-two years to the late Charles Baisch (d.2015); devoted mother of Jane Harlan of Wayne, Gerry Harlan of Hilltown, PA, Laurie Roemer and her husband William of Milton, DE, Judy Bakonyi and her husband Jim of Highland Lakes, Diane Axberg and her husband George of Wayne, and Beverly and David Radway of Wayne who she loved like her own children; cherished grandmother of Jennifer McGillick and her husband Chris of Nanuet, NY, Justin Harlan and his wife Brooke of Red Hill, PA, Kristin Saskowitz and her husband Matt of Denville, Sarah Hendrickson and her husband John of Wantage, Jenna Leib and her husband Will of Corpus Christi, TX, Caneel Axberg of Wayne, Summer Axberg of Wayne, and Jonathan Radway of West Chester, PA; dearly loved great-grandmother of  Cash and Weston Harlan of Red Hill, PA, Kaleigh and Dylan McGillick of Nanuet, NY, and Abigail Leib of Corpus Christi, TX.  She was also dearly loved by extended family and friends she considered family.

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In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation in memory of Mary Lou Baisch c/o Jane Harlan, 47 Worcester Drive, Wayne, NJ 07470 to be used to enhance the memory care unit, outdoor garden of Sunrise Assisted Living, where our Mom was given wonderful and loving care until her last day.