Maureen C Miller

Maureen Miller (80) of Hackensack, New Jersey, previously of Bergenfield and Fairview, passed away on June 3, 2024. Maureen was born to Russell and Mary Miller (nee Moschella) on October 4, 1943 in Englewood, New Jersey. Maureen grew up in Fairview, receiving all sacraments at Our Lady of Grace church, attending #3 and Lincoln Schools and graduating from Cliffside Park High School. After high school she graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and worked as a pattern maker in the Garment District. Maureen was a pioneer in her field and had the opportunity to create patterns for the designers of celebrities and political dignitaries. While raising her children, Maureen worked for Bergen County Special Services and Bergen County Technical Schools. Through hard work and dedication she rose to be the Supervisor of the Custodial and Maintenance Staff during her 34-year career. Maureen was a pillar in her community, serving as an active member in both Bergenfield’s Junior Women’s and Women’s Clubs, where she established long-lasting friendships over the years with her Junior ladies. She loved sewing and was extremely talented. She could build or fix anything, was detail-oriented, and a problem solver that knew how to get things done. In retirement, Maureen spent time doing the things she loved. This included staying in the Catskill Mountains of Callicoon, New York with family—and attending the dance of the Giglio statue, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn at Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s Saint Paulinus Feast. She truly took advantage of every moment and never missed an opportunity to savor in life’s simple joys, like a crisp candied apple. What Maureen will be remembered for most is her love of family. She brought us all together and immensely enjoyed hosting the family’s annual events, including the Christmas Eve Italian fishes feast, Palm Sunday, countless birthdays and the famed Halloween party, which has been running for 58 years. She knew it was important to keep the family traditions alive and passed them down to the next generation. She was a wonderful cook and baker, and would not let Thanksgiving or Christmas go by without baking her family-favorite batches of chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies. The many specialties she perfected were her chocolate cake, carrot cake, crumb cake and peach cobbler, not to mention her home-made cavatelli, lasagna and of course her savory Sunday “Gravy”. Maureen was a devoted mother, grandmother and aunt. She loved attending special events for all of her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. When she wasn’t cheering on her family, she could be found rooting for the New York Yankees, watching Hallmark channel and classic movies or listening to Barbra Streisand, Barry Manilow and Johnny Mathis. Maureen is survived by her two sons Michael Palumbo and daughter-in-law Rita (nee Remy), grandson Alec; Steven Palumbo and daughter-in-law Casey (nee Phillips), granddaughter Alexis, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends who were always in her heart. Maureen is predeceased by her father Russell Charles Miller, mother Mary (nee Moschella), and sister, Sandra Talamini. Funeral services will be held at: Barrett-Leber Funeral Home 148 Dean Drive Tenafly, NJ 07670 Thursday, June 6th 3-5 PM & 7-9 PM. Church services will be held at: Our Lady of Grace Church 395 Delano Place Fairview, NJ 07022 Friday, June 7th 9:30 AM.