Obituary of Mary Louise Fieseler
Mary Louise Fieseler (née Doherty)
Mary Louise Fieseler (née Doherty), a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and active member of her community, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, November 25, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.
Mary Lou was born and raised in Irvington, New Jersey, where she spent her formative years pursuing a passion for ballet. As a child and teenager, she attended ballet classes in the prestigious studios of Carnegie Hall, cultivating a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
Mary Lou graduated from the College of Saint Elizabeth with a degree in Foods and Nutrition, a testament to her dedication to learning and healthy living. She loved her time in college and remained active the Alumni Association. She was very proud of receiving the Alumna of the Year Award in 2011. Shortly after, in 1956, she married the love of her life, John Fieseler, beginning a remarkable journey of 68 years of marriage. Together, they built a home filled with love, laughter, and faith, raising five children close in age In Scotch Plains and the Saint Bartholomew parish. In 1986, Mary Lou and Jack moved to Bridgewater.
As a homemaker, Mary Lou devoted herself to managing the busy household with grace and care. She emphasized the value of education, instilling this priority in her children, all of whom graduated from college, with several earning advanced degrees.
A woman of deep faith, Mary Lou cherished her parish, Blessed Sacrament in Martinsville. She was an active participant in the Council of Catholic Women and dedicated her time and energy to supporting her church community.
Mary Lou was known for her vitality and zest for life. She remained active throughout her years, attending grandchildren’s school activities and sporting events, enjoying long walks and tending to her yard with pride and joy. Mary Lou and Jack loved to travel abroad; they enjoyed spending winter months in Bonita Springs, FL where they made many close friends.
Mary Lou is survived by her beloved husband, John, and her children: John and his wife, Katie; Catherine; Mary Ellyn; James and his wife, Elizabeth; and Susan. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren: Sean and Megan McCrea (Jared Collins), and Jack (Kristina), Timothy, and James Griffin Fieseler. Mary was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Helen (née Caufield), and her brother, Joseph.
Family and friends are invited to honor Mary Lou’s life at her visitation, which will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, NJ. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, December 6, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church in Martinsville, followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery in Basking Ridge.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Blessed Sacrament Parish or a charity of your choice in Mary Lou’s memory.
Mary Lou’s warmth, dedication, and vibrant spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her legacy of love, faith, and family will endure in the hearts of those she touched.
