Maria R. Brueckner

Maria was born in Lütterz, Germany in 1924. In 1950 Maria married John Kaczor, and soon after moved to the United States. She spent the last 67 years in Union. After the premature death of her husband John in 1972, she married Robert Brueckner in 1976.

As a devout Catholic, Maria was one of the original members of Holy Spirit Church. She held tight to her German heritage and was a proud member of the Plainfield Gesang Verein, which brought her so much joy. She was also a member of the Deutsch Amerikanischer National Kongress (DANK). Maria took regular trips to Germany, making sure to always visit her dear family.

Maria was a talented cook and an impeccable baker. She lovingly hosted holiday gatherings year after year with apparent effortlessness. The crowning moment came where her highly anticipated dessert, Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte made it to the table. Maria was also a prolific baker of Christmas cookies. Her S-shaped butter cookies – some dipped in chocolate, some not – were among her grandchildren’s favorites. She baked so many that was not unusual to be offered a Christmas cookie in the middle of March. Everyone also loved Oma’s donuts.

Maria stayed continually active as she aged, helping many of her friends in need. She enjoyed staying active walking multiple miles at a time in Union and was also a member of the YMCA, swimming in the lap pool well into her 90s and most recently loved her time at the YMCA Wise Program.

Our dear mother Maria was preceded in death by her mother and father, Josephine and Hermann, brothers, Joseph and Willie, John, her first husband; and Robert; her second husband. She leaves behind her beloved son John Henry Kaczor (Pam), and her cherished daughters, Bernadette Kaczor and Dolores Celia (Dean); Loving Oma to six grandchildren, Kimberly, Michael, Kellie, Katherine, Matthew and Natalie; three great grandchildren, Lola, Gabriel & Flynn.

Mom, you will always be in our hearts, we love you and thankful for all the love you’ve given us.

A visitation for Maria will be held Monday, January 8, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at McCracken Funeral Home, 1500 Morris Ave, Union, NJ 07083.

Prayer services to follow at 12:00 PM.

Entombment will occur at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 225 Ridgedale Avenue, East Hanover, NJ 07936.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Maria's memory may be made to a charity of your choice.