On October 30, 2018 Margaret M. Hensler passed on to her well-earned final reward. She was born on June 13, 1931 in Orange, NJ and spent her childhood, teens and early twenties in West Orange, N.J.
During that time, she attended Our Lady of Lourdes Church and grammar school, playing basketball and participating in Parish shows, the Civil Air Patrol and the Girl Scouts. She attended high school at Immaculate Conception in Montclair, N.J. where she played softball and basketball and sang in the chorus. After high school, she graduated from Berkeley Secretarial School and was employed by Public Service Electric and Gas Co., Gas Division, in East Orange, NJ.
On June 25, 1954, Margaret and Emil Hensler were married at Our Lady of Lourdes and spent 43 years in West Orange. She retired from PSE&G to devote her time to raising their children, and participating in the Essex County Mothers of Twins Club, Our Lady of Lourdes Parents Guild and Rosary Altar Society, serving also as President of each. She and Emil raised seven children Stephen (Mary) Hensler, Paul (Catherine) Hensler, Thomas (Laura) Hensler, Theresa (Russell) Bargiel, Margaret (Meg) (Robert) Bartholomew, Mary Ann (Robert) Kerr, and John (Terry) Hensler and fourteen grandchildren, Lydia, Kate, Christopher, Elisabeth, Noelle, Carly, Gregory, Michael, Eric, Dana, Sarah, Rhianna, Travis and William
Along the way, Marge worked for Midlantic Bank, and Degnan-Boyle Realtors, both in West Orange, and attended Seton Hall University.
In 1997, Marge and Emil “retired” to Leisure Village West in Manchester, N.J. where she became very active in the Village Chorus “Westernaires” and in the LVW Caritas Guild, serving as President for two years in each, in addition to volunteering as Wednesday Manager at the Kimball Treasure Chest in Lakehurst until medical problems forced her to discontinue.
Margaret was predeceased by her parents, John E. and Mary (Fuss) Jones of West Orange, two sisters Mary E. Jones of West Orange and Gertrude M Smyth of Toms River, and three brothers – Air Force Major John T. Jones of Massachusetts, Robert and Edward Jones of West Orange.
A wake will be held on Friday, November 2, from 2:00 to 4 :00 and 7:00 to 9 :00 at Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home, 3010 Ridgeway Rd – Route 571 at Route 70, Manchester, N.J. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, November 3rd , at 10:00 AM at St. John's Roman Catholic Church, 619 Chestnut St, Lakehurst, NJ. 08733. Cremation will follow.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the LVW Caritas Guild at Leisure Village West , 1000 Buckingham Drive, Manchester, NJ would be appreciated.
