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October 16, 2023
Services
Friends may visit with the family from 10am - 12pm on Friday, October 20, 2023 at Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470. A funeral service will be held at 12 pm on Friday, October 20, 2023 at the funeral home following the visiting hours.
Interment will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, 106 Bartholdi Ave, Butler, NJ.
Roberta Place, 90, of Seaside Park, NJ, formerly of Wayne, NJ, passed away Monday, October 16, 2023 in the comfort of her family.
Born at Paterson General Hospital, December 18, 1932, she was the loving, caring light of her family.
She graduated from Pompton Lakes High School where she was an enthusiastic cheerleader, and then went on to work for NJ Bell in Paterson. Her father, Yustus Wenderoth, was Chief of Wayne Fire Company #1 at the time, and “Bobbie” volunteered at the fire company’s Parish Oval fairs. It was there she met her sweetheart and future husband, Clarence “Buddy” Place, who became her “Junie” and the love of her life. He gave her quarters to play the games, and so their life together began.
They were married January 19, 1952, having their reception at the Old Peacock House. They moved into their first little apartment on Fairfield Road in Wayne, until one day her father saw a stove pipe going across the ceiling and said “you are not staying here”. Then commenced the building of their first home, right next to her beloved parents, Yustus and Ann Wenderoth. Later when Route 80 was established, both homes had to be moved across the street to a relative’s property. This became the beginning of many memorable backyard picnics, celebrations with family and friends, and the never forgotten “backyard family band”. Good times were had by all.
Roberta went on to work for Wayne Township in 1971 for the Records and Information (R&I) bureau, eventually becoming Secretary to several Police Chiefs. She also became a Special Police Officer and retired from the Wayne Police Department in 1990.
She worked part-time at the Hi-Ho Club, owned by close family friends, which was next to the old MacMoulding building where her father worked, and he would occasionally come by for lunch.
During their married life, Bobbie and her “Junie” enjoyed many happy times, and took many trips that included going to several islands and taking a cruise to Alaska. In 1974 they bought “the little house” in Seaside Park, NJ where they enjoyed many summers with family and friends. When they retired in 1990, they moved to Seaside Park, eventually building another home just around the corner. They spent many years enjoying the beach, their boat, and time just relaxing together sitting on their front porch.
Bobbie was a lifelong Parishioner of Holy Cross Church in Wayne, and then of St. Catherine’s Church in Seaside Park.
Bobbie’s joy and shining light was her family. She was the family “glue”, selflessly never failing to call and make sure everyone was ok. Always a smile, a hug, and a good meal. “Nothing fancy!” she would say. “You get what you get!” And it was always delicious!
Bobbie and Buddy had two children, Robert and Susan, who they love and adore, and always helped when they could.
She is survived by her husband of 71 wonderful years, Clarence “Buddy” Place; her son Robert Place, daughter-in-law Patricia, granddaughter Krysti, and great-grandson Chase; her daughter Susan Gabriel, son-in-law John, granddaughter Jennifer Denovchik and husband Chris, great-granddaughter Emelia, and great-grandson Chris Jr.; granddaughter Laurie Tormollan and husband Adam; her sister Dorothy Mazurkiewicz and husband Ed, nephew Michael Mazurkiewicz and wife Laura, and their son Eric; nephew Ed Mazurkiewicz and wife Kimmy, and their daughter Emily and son Matthew.
She has left a place in our hearts that no one else can fill, and we are so lucky to have had her as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. She had so much love for all of us and while she will be truly and sorely missed, we will continue to celebrate her beautiful life well-lived.
We love you always and forever.
Safe journey home.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family from 10am - 12pm on Friday, October 20, 2023 at Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470. A funeral service will be held at 12 pm on Friday, October 20, 2023 at the funeral home following the visiting hours.
Interment will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, 106 Bartholdi Ave, Butler, NJ.
October 16, 2023
Services
Friends may visit with the family from 10am - 12pm on Friday, October 20, 2023 at Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470. A funeral service will be held at 12 pm on Friday, October 20, 2023 at the funeral home following the visiting hours.
Interment will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, 106 Bartholdi Ave, Butler, NJ.
Roberta Place, 90, of Seaside Park, NJ, formerly of Wayne, NJ, passed away Monday, October 16, 2023 in the comfort of her family.
Born at Paterson General Hospital, December 18, 1932, she was the loving, caring light of her family.
She graduated from Pompton Lakes High School where she was an enthusiastic cheerleader, and then went on to work for NJ Bell in Paterson. Her father, Yustus Wenderoth, was Chief of Wayne Fire Company #1 at the time, and “Bobbie” volunteered at the fire company’s Parish Oval fairs. It was there she met her sweetheart and future husband, Clarence “Buddy” Place, who became her “Junie” and the love of her life. He gave her quarters to play the games, and so their life together began.
They were married January 19, 1952, having their reception at the Old Peacock House. They moved into their first little apartment on Fairfield Road in Wayne, until one day her father saw a stove pipe going across the ceiling and said “you are not staying here”. Then commenced the building of their first home, right next to her beloved parents, Yustus and Ann Wenderoth. Later when Route 80 was established, both homes had to be moved across the street to a relative’s property. This became the beginning of many memorable backyard picnics, celebrations with family and friends, and the never forgotten “backyard family band”. Good times were had by all.
Roberta went on to work for Wayne Township in 1971 for the Records and Information (R&I) bureau, eventually becoming Secretary to several Police Chiefs. She also became a Special Police Officer and retired from the Wayne Police Department in 1990.
She worked part-time at the Hi-Ho Club, owned by close family friends, which was next to the old MacMoulding building where her father worked, and he would occasionally come by for lunch.
During their married life, Bobbie and her “Junie” enjoyed many happy times, and took many trips that included going to several islands and taking a cruise to Alaska. In 1974 they bought “the little house” in Seaside Park, NJ where they enjoyed many summers with family and friends. When they retired in 1990, they moved to Seaside Park, eventually building another home just around the corner. They spent many years enjoying the beach, their boat, and time just relaxing together sitting on their front porch.
Bobbie was a lifelong Parishioner of Holy Cross Church in Wayne, and then of St. Catherine’s Church in Seaside Park.
Bobbie’s joy and shining light was her family. She was the family “glue”, selflessly never failing to call and make sure everyone was ok. Always a smile, a hug, and a good meal. “Nothing fancy!” she would say. “You get what you get!” And it was always delicious!
Bobbie and Buddy had two children, Robert and Susan, who they love and adore, and always helped when they could.
She is survived by her husband of 71 wonderful years, Clarence “Buddy” Place; her son Robert Place, daughter-in-law Patricia, granddaughter Krysti, and great-grandson Chase; her daughter Susan Gabriel, son-in-law John, granddaughter Jennifer Denovchik and husband Chris, great-granddaughter Emelia, and great-grandson Chris Jr.; granddaughter Laurie Tormollan and husband Adam; her sister Dorothy Mazurkiewicz and husband Ed, nephew Michael Mazurkiewicz and wife Laura, and their son Eric; nephew Ed Mazurkiewicz and wife Kimmy, and their daughter Emily and son Matthew.
She has left a place in our hearts that no one else can fill, and we are so lucky to have had her as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. She had so much love for all of us and while she will be truly and sorely missed, we will continue to celebrate her beautiful life well-lived.
We love you always and forever.
Safe journey home.
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