Obituary: Lauretta Dechert, 102, Who Baked Daily

Lauretta Dechert, 102, of Jersey City, passed away on February 1 in Holmdel.  She was born and raised in Jersey City and lived there until this past November. Lauretta lovingly raised her eight children. She was an avid seamstress, cook, and baker.  She baked every day of the week and all of the kids in the neighborhood loved to come over to eat her baked goods.

Surviving are her two sons and daughters-in-law, Henry and Dottie Dechert of Port Monmouth and George and Louise Dechert of Massachusetts; her daughter, Henrietta Dechert of Hazlet; her brother, Ralph Panza; and by her 17 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Lauretta was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Henry Dechert in 1964, her parents, Antonio and Erminia Panza, her children, Alice, Joyce, Edward, Grace, and Loretta, and her deceased brothers and sisters.

Visitation will be held on Monday, February 4 from 4-8 pm at the John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, 115 Tindall Road, Middletown. Funeral services are scheduled for 8:15 am at the funeral home. A Funeral Liturgy will be offered Tuesday, February 5 at 9:15 am at St. Mary's Chapel, 26 Leonardville Rd., Middletown. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, NJ.

For more information, to send condolences or for directions, please visit www.pflegerfh.com.