Marie Delores Kaspar

December 14, 1938 – October 20, 2026

Marie Delores Kaspar, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at the age of 87. Born in Queens, NY, on December 14, 1938, she was the daughter of Edwin Howard Weissenback and Annette Eleanor (Lutz) Weissenback.

Marie grew up in Queens with her two younger brothers, Edward and Roger. She attended Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School in Brooklyn, NY, where an ordinary afternoon of studying Latin at a friend’s house led to an extraordinary love story. During a study break, Marie was struck in the head by a snowball—and laughed. Recognizing her good humor, Matthew Kaspar took the opportunity to introduce himself. From that moment on, the two were inseparable. They married on January 17, 1959, beginning a life together that spanned 67 years, until Matthew’s passing on March 14, 2026.

In 1967, Marie and Matthew moved to Ridgewood, NJ, where they raised their four children and built a home centered on faith, family, and service to others. Over the years, their family grew to include six grandchildren and four great-granddaughters, with another great-grandchild expected in January.

Their faith was an important part of their lives. Active members of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Ridgewood, Marie and Matthew also participated in the Christian Family Movement and Marriage Encounter, sharing their commitment to faith and family with others. Marie put her beliefs into action through her volunteer work with FISH (Friends in Service Helping) in Ridgewood. She organized a monthly food co-op, hosted on the family porch, and coordinated clothing drives for those in need. For years, she and Matthew welcomed young adults into their home to teach religious education, offering not only instruction but also an example of faith, generosity, and care for others.

Family time was equally precious to Marie and Matthew. Their summer vacations in Wellfleet, MA, became a treasured tradition, filled with camping, swimming in the ponds and beaches of Cape Cod, and time together in a place they both loved. These trips, and the memories made along the way, remained among their most cherished experiences.

Marie also found fulfillment in a career devoted to caring for others. She became an EKG technician in 1972, training and working at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ. She later returned to school and earned her Licensed Practical Nursing degree from Bergen Pines County Hospital School of Practical Nursing in Paramus, NJ. She worked for many years as an LPN, first at an internal medicine practice in Wyckoff, New Jersey, and later at Urology Group, PA, in Midland Park, before retiring in 1998. Through her work, Marie brought her natural compassion and caring spirit to the patients she served.

Retirement gave Marie more time to devote to her faith, her community, and the people she loved. At the Church of the Presentation in Upper Saddle River, NJ, she became an integral part of the Women’s Cornerstone Retreats. She encouraged participants to reflect on their faith, share their personal experiences, and develop meaningful, lasting connections with one another. She also participated in a six-week church mission in Kentucky, serving individuals and families experiencing poverty, homelessness, and food insecurity.

Marie and Matthew continued to explore the world together, enjoying educational adventures through Elderhostel and traveling with friends and family. Their destinations included Portugal, Bermuda, Alaska, Hawaii, Captiva Island, FL, and, of course, Cape Cod, MA. They were fortunate to share many of these experiences with their close-knit group of friends whose bonds spanned more than 40 years. Together, they made the most of their time, finding joy in travel, friendship, and the simple pleasure of being together.

In 2007, Marie and Matthew moved to Toms River, NJ. There, Marie embraced new opportunities for friendship and involvement in community life, including the Lake Ridge Theatre Group and Chorus Club. She especially enjoyed being near family and spending time with her grandchildren. In 2015, they moved to The Grand in Surprise, AZ, where Marie appreciated the beauty of the Southwest and continued to treasure time with her family and grandchildren. In April 2026, she moved to The Groves Assisted Living and Memory Care in Goodyear, AZ.

Marie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Matthew in 2026; her cherished son, Stephen Matthew Kaspar, in 2016; her brothers, Edward and Roger Weissenback; her sister-in-law, Theresa (Kaspar) McKillop; her brother-in-law, Richard McKillop; and her niece, Jacqueline (McKillop) LaGattuta.

She is survived by her loving daughters, Laura Wardwell (Leslie) of Avondale, AZ; Mary Koeppel (James) of Desert Hills, AZ; and Joanna Fonseca (Eric) of Avondale, AZ. She leaves behind six treasured grandchildren: Jonathon Koeppel, Christina O’Brien (Michael), Taylor Kruse (Matthew), Connor Wardwell, Matthew Koeppel (Marie), and Samuel Wardwell (Arianne). Her four great-granddaughters, Danielle and Lucy Kruse and Lily and Ella O’Brien, brought her great joy, and she was looking forward to the arrival of another great-grandchild in January. Marie is also survived by her dear sisters-in-law, Virginia Weissenback of Surprise, AZ, and Karen Moen of San Mateo, CA, along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

Those who knew Marie will remember a spirited, fun-loving woman who was always ready for an adventure. Warm, caring, and optimistic, she had a gift for seeing the bright side of life. People were drawn to her kindness, her willingness to listen, and the wisdom and understanding she offered so generously. Whether caring for patients, helping a neighbor, supporting a friend, or comforting a family member, Marie treated everyone with dignity and respect. She had a way of making people feel heard, valued, and loved.

Even as she faced the challenges of dementia in her later years, Marie held on to her positive outlook, her sense of humor, and a remarkable resilience. Her love for family, friends, and neighbors never wavered, and she made a point of letting the people in her life know how much they meant to her.

Marie’s life was defined by the love she gave, the faith she lived, the friendships she nurtured, and the many quiet ways she made life better for others. Her legacy lives on in the family she cherished, the people she helped, and the countless memories shared by those fortunate enough to know her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

A celebration of life for Marie will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marie’s memory to: Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014.

Donations may also be made online at https://hov.org/donate/donate-now/.