Maureen C. Fritz

Maureen was born in Manhattan, NY, to Leo and Catherine Collins. She grew up in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NY, where she attended St. Ephrem Catholic School and received an academic scholarship to St. Brendan’s High School. She entered the workforce after high school and also attended Brooklyn College.

Both in childhood and throughout her life, Maureen’s caring and loving presence was felt by all who knew her. She was the eldest of five, and she adored her younger siblings, John, Sheila, Ronald and Leo. She often spoke of her childhood, which was filled with laughter, dancing, singing and enjoying the company of family and close friends.

During Maureen’s younger years, the family spent time at their summer cabin, built by her father, at Lake Hopatcong. She shared wonderful memories of how much fun they had boating, water skiing and square dancing. It was at the lake that she met the love of her life, Robert Fritz. Maureen and Bob were married at St. Ephrem Church in Brooklyn in 1957. They settled in Pottersville, NJ, where they lived for nearly 50 years and raised their five children.

In addition to her role as a busy mom, Maureen was a member of St. Brigid Church in Peapack where she faithfully attended Mass, taught Religious Education and served in the Legion of Mary. She also volunteered at a local Pregnancy Aid Center, at many fundraising events at the Pottersville Volunteer Fire Company, at the local voting polls, and at countless school events over the years.

In 2018, Maureen and Bob moved to Lake Mohawk to be closer to their children and grandchildren. They are blessed with 18 grandchildren. Maureen’s strong Catholic faith, her selfless concern for others, and her ability to make everyone feel loved, made her the cornerstone of the family. Her life was a testament to faith, family and service, and she was happiest when ‘everyone was together’. With her gentle spirit and her inexhaustible patience, she was truly a blessing to all who knew her.

God bless you, Maureen. We will all miss you! XOXO

Maureen is survived by her loving husband of over 66 years, Robert J. Fritz, her children, Dr. John (Jennifer) Fritz, Keelin Reekie, Catherine (James) Englehardt, Keavy (Michael) Gaines, Maura (Jay) Gaffney, her sister Sheila Collins, her brother Ronald (Klari) Collins, her sister-in-law Kelly Collins, her 18 grandchildren, Patrick, Matthew, Benen, Mairin, McKaela, Shealyn, William, Molly, Owen, Catherine, Alicia, Michael, Grady, Maureen, Joseph, Daniel, John and Liam, and many more loving family members. Maureen was predeceased by her parents, Leo and Catherine Collins, her brother John Collins and his wife Edith, her brother Leo Collins, her son-in-law George Reekie, her sister-in-law Ebbie Collins, and her brother-in-law Dr. Dirk Appel.

A visitation for Maureen will be held Friday, July 28, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Goble Funeral Home, 22 Main Street, Sparta, NJ 07871. A funeral mass will be celebrated Saturday, July 29, 2023 10:00 AM at St Kateri Church, 427 Stanhope Rd, Sparta, NJ 07871 with entombment to follow at St Joseph Cemetery, 22 Halstead Street, Newton, NJ 07860. All are invited to come to the services dressed in bright colors, particularly Maureen's favorite color, blue.