Obituary of Mary J. Sittmann
Mary Joan (nee McKenna) Sittmann, age 98, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2018 in Morris Plains, New Jersey.
Beloved daughter, she was born of Helen Hannon McKenna and Joseph McKenna on January 2, 1920 in Brooklyn, New York. Mary was predeceased by her loving husband, Walter Gustav Sittmann, who passed away on November 9, 1986; her beloved daughter, Gail Sittmann Hoffman, who passed away on July 8, 2005; and her beloved son, William Sittmann, who passed away on February 10, 2017.
Mary is survived by four of her six children, Betty Gotlinger (Gregory) of North Potomac, MD; Susan Sittmann of Landing, NJ; Robert Sittmann (Catherine) of Morris Plains, NJ; and Gerard Sittmann (Donna) of Morris Plains, NJ; as well as her seventeen grandchildren, Ryan Hoffman (Missy), Jonathan Hoffman (Anne Marie), Jeffrey Hoffman (Megan), Erin Hoffman Siskey (Tyler), Meredith Sittmann, Grant Gotlinger (Kate), Ashley Gotlinger Pearce (Tripp), Garrett Gotlinger (Bruna), Gregory Welschko, Christopher Welschko, Stephen Welschko, Thomas Sittmann (Stephanie), John Sittmann (Kimberly), Brooke Sittmann Fuller (Craig), Blair Sittmann Greene (Scott), Kurt Sittmann and Kyle Sittmann; and her eighteen great-grandchildren; Eliza Hoffman, Hagan Hoffman, Daniel Hoffman, Hayes Hoffman, Wells Hoffman, Will Hoffman, Griffin Hoffman, Sophie Hoffman, Jackson Siskey, Brock Siskey, Knox Siskey, McKenna Gotlinger, Thomas Gotlinger, Trent Gotlinger, Taylor Pearce, Tenley Pearce, Lillian Sittmann, and Theodore Sittmann. Her nineteenth great-grandchild is due to be born in early April.
Mary was a proud and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She looked forward to her calls and frequent visits with family and loved ones to reminisce about beach vacations, silly family anecdotes, and the years she spent with Walter. She was a champion of her family and loved to celebrate in all of their successes. She always said that her family was her greatest accomplishment in life.
Mary was an avid reader and an amazing storyteller, who was always full of jokes, though, she often didn’t know it. She had great interest in family genealogy and traced her lineage back to Ireland. A social butterfly, she created many lasting friendships throughout her lifetime, relationships that were strong and steadfast until her last day.
Mary had a deep, unwavering faith in her religion that she instilled in her family. She was a long-time devoted member of St. Virgil’s Catholic Church and a founder of the St. Virgil’s School Library, as well as a charter member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Count St. Michael. While living in South Carolina, she was a member of the Deerfield Women’s Club and served as a volunteer at Grand Strand Hospital. Mary enjoyed playing bridge, sailing and traveling with her husband, Walter.
Mary was dearly loved and adored by her entire family and will be missed by all who knew her.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Virgil’s Parish, 250 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, NJ at 3:00pm on Saturday, January 26th. Mary will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Walter, at Hillcrest Cemetery in Conway, South Carolina.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests contributions in her memory be sent to the Morris County Library, 30 E. Hanover Avenue, Whippany, New Jersey 07981.