Maria (Geng) Pfefferkorn

Maria Pfefferkorn, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026, in Passaic, New Jersey. Born in Romania in 1931, Maria's journey led her to the United States in 1950, where she would build a life with her family.

Maria settled in Garfield, New Jersey, before moving to Clifton. She was the cherished wife of the late Stephen Pfefferkorn, and together they nurtured a family that would be her greatest pride. Mary is survived by her devoted children, Joseph Pfefferkorn, John Pfefferkorn and his wife Anita, and daughter Susanna Mujica and her husband Louis. Her legacy continues through her adoring grandchildren, Joseph and his wife Stacy, Michael, Matthew and his wife Jaclyn, Andrew, Christina and her wife Alexandra, Geneva, and Lisa Mujica, as well as her eight great-grandchildren who brought her immeasurable joy.

Maria was the beloved sister of Teresa Haller and was predeceased by her brothers, John and Stephen Geng, and sister, Rose Stadler. Her family was the cornerstone of her life.

Before her well-earned retirement, Mary was employed with the Beecham Co. in Clifton, and she had previously worked for Yardley of London Co. in Totowa, NJ.

A faithful parishioner of Holy Trinity R.C. Church in Passaic, she lived her Catholic beliefs through her actions, always extending a hand to those in need and offering words of encouragement and wisdom.

Mary was an avid gardener and loved planting her spring flowers and tending to them daily. Her garden was a vibrant tapestry of colors and fragrances that mirrored the richness of her own life. Additionally, Mary was known for her exceptional baking and cooking skills, which were enjoyed by her family and friends.  And especially sharing her recipes and cooking tips with her granddaughters.

She was a remarkable woman—hard-working yet easy-going, independent and witty. Deeply devoted to her family, she was always willing to help and kept in touch with everyone. She was the matriarch of her family and was loved by neighbors, friends, and relatives alike, often sharing stories of her childhood.

Visitation will be held Sunday, March 15, 2026 from 2:00 to 6:00 pm at Bizub-Quinlan Funeral Home, 1313 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton. Funeral services will be held Monday, March 16, 2026 at 9:15 am from the funeral home followed by a 10:00 am Mass at Holy Trinity R.C. Church, cor. Hope and Harrison Avenue, Passaic. Interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery, Paterson. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 or www.heart.org.  Visit www.bizubquinlan.com to leave condolences to the family on the Tribute Wall section of the online obituary.