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September 27, 2014
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Monday, September 29, 2014 from 5-8 PM.
Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at 9:00 AM from the funeral home, then to Annunciation R.C. Church, 45 Urban Club Road, Wayne, where at 10:00 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Interment will follow at Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah.
Waltraud Werder, age 74, of Wallington, entered into eternal rest, as her family was lovingly by her side, on Saturday, September 27, 2014.
Waltraud was born in Gdynia, Poland in 1940. A child during the Nazi occupation of her homeland, out of fear for her life, she never spoke in any language but German until she was seven years old. As a young girl, caring for the less fortunate was a virtue that was instilled in Waltraud, so, when she became a young woman, she frequently cooked meals for the sick and poor of her hometown.
Waltraud eventually joined the workforce. Taking the bus to get to work, she couldn’t help but notice a handsome man who took the same bus to his job every day. His name was Kazimierz and he took notice of Waltraud too. One day he asked her if she would like to go out on a date. Their first date was on Monday, September 19, 1960. They went to see a movie. Friendship quickly became love and the young couple married on Thursday, December 26, 1963 in their hometown of Gdynia. Over the course of the next few years, they were blessed with three beautiful children as Waltraud gave birth to Beata, Joanna, and Robert. Waltraud and Kazimierz were the most loving of parents and, while they did the best they could to give their children happy and fulfilling lives, they felt constrained by the lack of opportunity that their Polish homeland offered. So in 1987, while Waltraud remained in Poland with Beata and Joanna, Kazimierz and Robert, who was ten years old at the time, came to the United States to join Kazimierz’ family is pursuit of the American dream. In 1991, after Kazimierz found work and got settled, Waltraud and Joanna, who was 17 at the time, joined them in the United States. Beata chose to remain in Poland. The family originally settled in Harrison and then moved to Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, Robert got married. He and his wife Edith desired so much to have his parents closer, so in 2005, they fixed up an apartment in their house in Wallington and Waltraud and Kazimierz moved in and never left.
Waltraud was the consummate homemaker. An excellent cook, her family’s favorite recipes included her delicious stuffed cabbage, anything she made with fish, and her daughter Joanna was sure that her mom made the best gulasz in the world. Waltraud’s greatest joy was watching her family and friends enjoy her sumptuous culinary creations! She always had a knack for entertaining. In her native Poland, her house was always filled with loved ones and laughter on Friday and Saturday nights, and when she came to the USA, Sundays became the day. Waltraud was also an excellent knitter, and, on cold winter days, many recipients had equally warm thoughts about Waltraud for the warm socks, scarves, hats and mittens or gloves that she had lovingly made for them.
Waltraud loved life in America! In her times of leisure, she loved going on day trips. She never ever drove, leaving that task to Kazimierz, she just liked being out with her dear husband in the car, taking in the beautiful weather and whatever destination that decided to pursue that particular day. Favorite day trip destinations included Sandy Hook and the Delaware River. While she loved the day trips, it was a trip to Las Vegas in 2001 with Kazimierz, her son Robert and daughter-in-law Edith, that Waltraud described in her own words as “thee vacation!” And why not? It had everything a person could ask for, especially Waltraud. She loved gambling so gambling in the gambling capital of the world – Las Vegas was “thee best!” To top it off, they took a trip to see the Hoover Dam and a trip to the Grand Canyon. Awe inspiring!
The most important parts of life for Waltraud were family and faith. She adored her three grandchildren and would do anything for them. For five years straight, she was a great support to her daughter Joanna and her son-in-law Anthony, taking their children Arianna and Marek to school every day. She was always at their dance recitals, tae-kwon-do events, and baseball, soccer and basketball games, proudly cheering them on. When they were little and she and Kazimierz babysat, she instilled her faith in God to them by teaching them to pray in Polish. Her only regret was not being able to see her grandchild Maciej, who lived in Poland, more often. Not one to have pets of her own, Waltraud did however enjoy Robert and Edith’s dog Stewie “Stuart.” She and Kazimierz would even house-sit for Robert and Edith, if they went away, so that Stewie would be well-cared-for and not feel lonely. Waltraud’s heart was broken when her daughter Beata succumbed to the devastating effects of cancer this past February.
Waltraud was a great example of one who would always go that extra mile for you and one who would never turn her back on you, even if you wronged her in some way. She will always hold a most-dear and special place in the hearts and memories of those that knew and loved her for being the elegant, warm, caring and loving person that she was.
Waltraud is survived by her beloved husband Kazimierz; her dear daughter Joanna and husband Anthony Tortora of Wayne; her dear son Robert and wife Edith of Butler; three adored grandchildren: Arianna, Marek and Maciej; and her brother Jan of Poland. She was predeceased by her dear daughter Beata Jackowski this past February, 2014.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Waltraud’s name are asked to consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142. www.stjude.org
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Monday, September 29, 2014 from 5-8 PM.
Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at 9:00 AM from the funeral home, then to Annunciation R.C. Church, 45 Urban Club Road, Wayne, where at 10:00 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Interment will follow at Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah.
September 27, 2014
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Monday, September 29, 2014 from 5-8 PM.
Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at 9:00 AM from the funeral home, then to Annunciation R.C. Church, 45 Urban Club Road, Wayne, where at 10:00 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Interment will follow at Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah.
Waltraud Werder, age 74, of Wallington, entered into eternal rest, as her family was lovingly by her side, on Saturday, September 27, 2014.
Waltraud was born in Gdynia, Poland in 1940. A child during the Nazi occupation of her homeland, out of fear for her life, she never spoke in any language but German until she was seven years old. As a young girl, caring for the less fortunate was a virtue that was instilled in Waltraud, so, when she became a young woman, she frequently cooked meals for the sick and poor of her hometown.
Waltraud eventually joined the workforce. Taking the bus to get to work, she couldn’t help but notice a handsome man who took the same bus to his job every day. His name was Kazimierz and he took notice of Waltraud too. One day he asked her if she would like to go out on a date. Their first date was on Monday, September 19, 1960. They went to see a movie. Friendship quickly became love and the young couple married on Thursday, December 26, 1963 in their hometown of Gdynia. Over the course of the next few years, they were blessed with three beautiful children as Waltraud gave birth to Beata, Joanna, and Robert. Waltraud and Kazimierz were the most loving of parents and, while they did the best they could to give their children happy and fulfilling lives, they felt constrained by the lack of opportunity that their Polish homeland offered. So in 1987, while Waltraud remained in Poland with Beata and Joanna, Kazimierz and Robert, who was ten years old at the time, came to the United States to join Kazimierz’ family is pursuit of the American dream. In 1991, after Kazimierz found work and got settled, Waltraud and Joanna, who was 17 at the time, joined them in the United States. Beata chose to remain in Poland. The family originally settled in Harrison and then moved to Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, Robert got married. He and his wife Edith desired so much to have his parents closer, so in 2005, they fixed up an apartment in their house in Wallington and Waltraud and Kazimierz moved in and never left.
Waltraud was the consummate homemaker. An excellent cook, her family’s favorite recipes included her delicious stuffed cabbage, anything she made with fish, and her daughter Joanna was sure that her mom made the best gulasz in the world. Waltraud’s greatest joy was watching her family and friends enjoy her sumptuous culinary creations! She always had a knack for entertaining. In her native Poland, her house was always filled with loved ones and laughter on Friday and Saturday nights, and when she came to the USA, Sundays became the day. Waltraud was also an excellent knitter, and, on cold winter days, many recipients had equally warm thoughts about Waltraud for the warm socks, scarves, hats and mittens or gloves that she had lovingly made for them.
Waltraud loved life in America! In her times of leisure, she loved going on day trips. She never ever drove, leaving that task to Kazimierz, she just liked being out with her dear husband in the car, taking in the beautiful weather and whatever destination that decided to pursue that particular day. Favorite day trip destinations included Sandy Hook and the Delaware River. While she loved the day trips, it was a trip to Las Vegas in 2001 with Kazimierz, her son Robert and daughter-in-law Edith, that Waltraud described in her own words as “thee vacation!” And why not? It had everything a person could ask for, especially Waltraud. She loved gambling so gambling in the gambling capital of the world – Las Vegas was “thee best!” To top it off, they took a trip to see the Hoover Dam and a trip to the Grand Canyon. Awe inspiring!
The most important parts of life for Waltraud were family and faith. She adored her three grandchildren and would do anything for them. For five years straight, she was a great support to her daughter Joanna and her son-in-law Anthony, taking their children Arianna and Marek to school every day. She was always at their dance recitals, tae-kwon-do events, and baseball, soccer and basketball games, proudly cheering them on. When they were little and she and Kazimierz babysat, she instilled her faith in God to them by teaching them to pray in Polish. Her only regret was not being able to see her grandchild Maciej, who lived in Poland, more often. Not one to have pets of her own, Waltraud did however enjoy Robert and Edith’s dog Stewie “Stuart.” She and Kazimierz would even house-sit for Robert and Edith, if they went away, so that Stewie would be well-cared-for and not feel lonely. Waltraud’s heart was broken when her daughter Beata succumbed to the devastating effects of cancer this past February.
Waltraud was a great example of one who would always go that extra mile for you and one who would never turn her back on you, even if you wronged her in some way. She will always hold a most-dear and special place in the hearts and memories of those that knew and loved her for being the elegant, warm, caring and loving person that she was.
Waltraud is survived by her beloved husband Kazimierz; her dear daughter Joanna and husband Anthony Tortora of Wayne; her dear son Robert and wife Edith of Butler; three adored grandchildren: Arianna, Marek and Maciej; and her brother Jan of Poland. She was predeceased by her dear daughter Beata Jackowski this past February, 2014.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Waltraud’s name are asked to consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142. www.stjude.org
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