Alma L. Lauer

Affectionately known as Honey by her close friends and family, Alma was born on June 1st, 1935 in Bayonne, New Jersey to her parents Joseph and Emily (née Zygmund) Kopacz, and raised alongside her younger brother, Arthur J. Kopacz (Agnes). In 1953, Honey graduated from Holy Family Academy in Bayonne, NJ and began working in the banking business in New York City, then as an H.R. Administrator for Xerox Corp in Mountainside, NJ, before retiring in 2000.

In 1955, Honey met her future husband Joseph C. Lauer, also known as Mickey, at a local Bayonne dance hall and fell deeply in love. The pair were married on October 26th, 1957 at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church in Bayonne, NJ. Together, they went on to have six children; Joseph Lauer, Bernadette (Rick) Watson, Michael (Heidi) Lauer, Richard (Christine) Lauer, John (Celia) Lauer, and Jennifer Lauer. Her family continued growing to include nine grandchildren; Nicholas (Sarah) Watson, Danielle (Jake) Fernandez, Tim Watson, Cass Lauer, Michael Lauer, Jr., Jaimee Lauer, Erinn Lauer, Matthew Lauer, and Gabriella Lauer; as well as two great grandchildren; Nolan and Colton Fernandez.

As their family grew, Honey and Mickey moved to Union, NJ in 1963. She quickly became involved in her community, remaining actively engaged up until her final days, starting as a school librarian for Holy Spirit School in Union, NJ while her children were in attendance. She was a C.Y.O cheerleader coach for her daughters’ teams and a Cub Scout leader sons’ troops. Alma joined her local VFW Auxiliary chapter, with whom she regularly volunteered as a server for their many receptions, and retired as its President in December 2023. She was also a member of the Union Township Senior Citizens Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday Clubs, as well as a Project Healthy Bones instructor for the Union Township Senior Center. Alma was also a committed congregant of Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church in Union, NJ, enthusiastically participating in many of their organizations; such as the Holy Spirit Rosary Society and the 60+ Club. Alma was also an active member of the Columbiettes #4504 of Union Township.

A force of nature, Alma was a resilient, resourceful woman fiercely dedicated to her family across every generation. A proud woman of Polish heritage, Honey was well-known for sharing her culture with all those around her through making kielbasa and sauerkraut for every holiday and special occasions, and sharing stories of her cousins and the Bayonne Polish community of her childhood. She was also famous for her green tree butter cookies for Christmas and kruschiki for Easter. Since it was always 5 o’clock somewhere, Honey was often ready to share a drink with friends because “Lauers drink well with others.” After becoming a Babci, she loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, especially poolside in the summers.

A visitation is planned for Wednesday, February 7th from 3:00-7:00 PM at McCracken Funeral Home in Union, NJ. Rather than flowers, please consider making a donation to the Union Fire Department (Union FMBA Local #46 - Scholarship Fund; 1 Bond Drive, Union, NJ 07083), an organization of whose assistance she was very grateful for over the past few weeks.