Maureen A. (Newman) Kelaher

With her family by her side, Maureen Kelaher (nee Newman) passed away at the age of 65, on July 3rd, 2026.

Maureen was proudly introduced on 11/22/1960 in Washington Heights, NY by proud first time parents James Newman and Ann Newman (nee Ellicott). In 1962 Maureen was blessed with a sister Eileen and in 1963 a brother James.

In 1965, Maureen and her family of five, along with her paternal grandparents, James Newman and Christine Newman, and paternal aunts, Margaret Newman and Jeanette Newman, left Washington Heights and purchased a two family home in Hawthorne, NJ.

Maureen spent her childhood years attending St. Anthony’s grammar school and Hawthorne High School. During her preteen and teen years she spent time with her siblings and her cousins who resided in the communities surrounding Hawthorne.

Maureen’s maternal grandmother Catherine Ellicott resided nearby and was a constant source of treats in the form of homemade cookies and rice pudding for Maureen, her siblings, and cousins on birthdays, holidays, and special occasions.

During her formative years Maureen, along with her sister and brother became avid New York Mets fans. Maureen also developed her love for Rock and Roll with her sister and traveled to concerts and clubs to hear some notables such as The Clash, INXS, U2, Bon Jovi, and of course her favorite, the Boss, attending over 50 of his concerts and shows in her life. Maureen was always singing along with the groups at concerts and clubs (a bit out of tune) and was always the first on the dance floor.

In 1978, upon graduating from Hawthorne High School, Maureen decided to pursue a career in fashion and attended the Fashion Institute of Technology, graduating in 1980.

In 1980, Maureen was hired by Ormond Shops Inc. as a clothing purchaser for the company for 22 years. In 1994, Maureen switched fashion roles and became a clothing sales distributor for Chas Jeans and pursued additional opportunities in the same fashion field with clothing and apparel companies Candies and Bongo Jeans.

In 1994, Maureen married her Frank at an outdoor ceremony in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ and they both have been BFFs for the duration.

1997 brought the most joy to Maureen as she welcomed her daughter Caitlin Christine into the world. Maureen was so ecstatic over this precious girl that she spent the next 29 years as her fashion designer, class mom, girl scout troop leader, soccer mom, softball mom, and swim mom. Most recently Maureen celebrated the engagement of Caitlin and Joe.

Maureen was a woman who believed in family, friends, and fun and throughout her married life traveled with family and friends to Europe (Ireland x2), Aruba, Turks & Caicos, Dominican Republic, Caribbean Cruises, Windjammer Cruises and wherever she landed she was intent to “Keep This Party Going”.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 10, 2026 from 4-8 PM at Van Emburgh-Sneider-Pernice Funeral Home, 109 Darlington Ave, Ramsey, NJ.  A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM at St. Paul R.C. Church in Ramsey, NJ.  Cremation will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter (https://www.alz.org/nj) or Saint Jude Children Hospital (https://stjude.org) in Maureen’s memory.

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