A mass of Christian burial was held June 30 at St. Patrick’s Church in Jersey City for Mary Garner Berkowitz, 94. She died suddenly on June 26. A lifelong resident of Jersey City, Mary was a graduate of St. Patrick Grammar School and Lincoln High School. She worked as a telephone operator during World War II and in later years as a dental assistant in Jersey City.
Mary was a member of the Crescendo Club, a singing group, and of the Our Lady of Victories School Library Guild and Rosary Society. A lifelong learner, she was an enthusiastic advocate for observing the world and enjoying all of its people. Mary was the wife of the late Milton Joseph Berkowitz; mother of Michael Berkowitz (Mary Ellen) of Micanopy, FL, and Rosemary Berkowitz Sekel (Stephen) of Maplewood. The oldest of eight children, Mary is survived by her two sisters Irene Keegan of North Brunswick, and Sister Maria Michael Garner of St. Thomas Parish, Bloomfield. She was predeceased by her siblings Bishop Robert F. Garner, Auxilary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark and Vicar of Bergen County; Michael Garner; Catherine Garner; Francis Garner and Clare Garner. Mary is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. Services arranged by the McLaughlin Funeral Home, Jersey City.