Obituary of Margaret Ann Marie Saenger

Margaret Ann Marie Saenger, 83, passed into the loving embrace of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 29, 2016, (the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul), at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ. Born January 30, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York to John and Nora Saenger, Margaret, affectionately called, Peggy, grew up with her parents and brother, Jack, in the city’s Bay Ridge neighborhood. She attended St. Anslem’s Catholic Church and school, making her First Holy Communion there. Her Bavarian German father earned his living as a cornetist in a sweet dance band, “The Majestic Serenaders”, while her first-generation Irish mother worked as a secretary and later on as a homemaker. Around 1943, Peggy moved with her family across the Hudson River to Hoboken, N.J. where she attended Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, making her Confirmation, then graduating there from Junior High, 1947. She enrolled in St. Michael’s Catholic High School in Union City, NJ, graduating 1951. Peggy enjoyed those years with her many friends at social dances, family picnics out in the country and at Cold Springs Lake. After her brother Jack married in 1953, Peggy at age 21, soon became a godmother in September of 1954 to her first niece and Jack’s firstborn daughter, Ruthann. She would become an aunt for a second time with the birth of her second niece, Laraine, in November of 1956. Remaining single throughout her life, Peggy entered the work force in her twenties, launching a career in New York City with Citi Bank as a loan officer for over 30 years. During those years, she resided in Rutherford, N.J., commuting every day by bus into ‘the Big Apple’. And yes, she loved NYC. Later on, she became employed at a local bank in Rutherford, N.J. When Peggy wasn’t working, her life revolved around her extended family of her brother, his wife, two nieces and many relatives, where almost every weekend meant a family get-together of some kind of celebration, bar-b-que, outing, or simple gathering. As a doting and proud aunt, she attended the many band concerts, ballet recitals, and plays of both nieces. She celebrated every Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July, Labor Day and birthdays with her family, always generous with her quiet presence and thoughtful gifts. Best of all were those confection treats, purchased from one of her favorite bakeries, to make any Sunday afternoon visit a memorable one. Peggy enjoyed the simple things of life---movies, trips, horse racing, Coney Island and the Jersey Shore. She always loved sharing a good time and good laughs. A great listener, with a caring heart, became one of her endearing attributes throughout her life, even until the very end. “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart.”---Helen Keller. When not with family and friends, Peggy loved the companionship of her adopted pet cats over the years-- Smokey and Angel. In her retirement years, she moved to Ridgefield Park, N.J. where she attended St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and lived across the street in an apartment complex. When senior housing opened up, she lived on Main Street and enjoyed the many trips afforded to seniors into Atlantic City, where she discovered her luck at the slots, especially at the Resorts Casino. A habit picked up by many of her era, Peggy had become a smoker, and at the age of 70 suffered a stroke, but fortunately did not become debilitated permanently. While she lost her swallowing initially, Peggy experienced a miracle, thanks to the intercession of her beloved Saint Padre Pio and our Lord. Subsequently, she began a new life with restored health, within a new community at Morris Hills Center in Morristown, N.J. Referred to as “the miracle sunshine lady,” from 2003 to 2014 she enjoyed assisted living on the first floor, making a host of new friends. Having become more outgoing, assertive and vocal, Peggy lived out her days with a wide range of social/recreational activities and community service projects. She often helped the Center with its raffles and fundraisers for worthy causes, including an outreach to the victims of the Haiti earthquake. In addition, she helped to lead the rosary, for many of those years. Life would continue with trips into NYC for shows at Radio City, Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and lunch at Tavern on the Green. She relished her time with family outings to local restaurants. Peggy loved expressing her Irish pride and patriotism along parade routes to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and the Fourth of July. And, she enjoyed seeing good shows at MPAC and local movie theatres. While she suffered a fall in 2014, Peggy’s Irish tenacity and faith helped her to press on and heal. During those days, she became affectionately called, “Auntie Peggy” and enjoyed her music DVDs of Celtic Women, Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis and of course, the ‘silent’ movies and ‘talking’ videos covering generations of family life. She maintained her favorite social ritual of enjoying her favorite dessert of coffee and cake, as she fellowshipped with friends and her nieces. A highlight was watching the closing Mass of Pope Francis’ trip to the U.S. from Philadelphia on the large screen with her two nieces, all wearing their papal shirts. “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.”(Unknown). Auntie Peggy finished her journey as a valiant woman of faith. During that time, she missed seeing her many long-time friends at Morris Hills Center, as they did of her. Pre-deceased by her beloved parents John and Nora Saenger and one brother, Jack, Peggy is survived by two nieces of Morris County, as well as many relatives and friends. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at Vorhees Ingwersen Funeral Home, 59 Main Street in Ridgefield Park, N.J. on Friday, July 8, 2016 from 2 – 4 p.m. and 7 – 9 p.m. A Mass of Resurrection will be held on Saturday July 9, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on 114 Mount Vernon Street, Ridgefield Park, N.J., followed by internment at Mt. Arlington Cemetery in Mt. Arlington, N.J. Those wishing to honor the memory of Margaret (Peggy) Saenger may do so with a contribution, in her name, to the Bergen County Animal Shelter, 100 United Lane, Teterboro, N.J. 07680. Vorheesingwersen.com