Mary Gruber, 42-Year Fair Lawn High School Teacher, Died Sunday

FAIR LAWN, NJ — Mary Barbara Gruber, 70, a Fair Lawn High School English teacher for 42 years, died Sunday, her obituary states.

Gruber made sure to balance her passion for education and her zest for life and laughter with "Friday Fun Days", which included candy and prizes. She could be found supporting her students at the local Cutters Lacrosse Games.

During her summers, she would be found shopping for her nieces and nephew at Marshall's or T.J. Maxx or waitressing at Marcy's in Park Ridge.

She is survived by her siblings Michael Gruber and his wife Kathy and Christine Ciaccio and her husband Matthew and nieces and nephew Gina DeMar and her husband Chance, Stephanie Scott and her husband Ian, Michael Gruber and his wife Vanessa, Sara Kurpick and her husband Michael, Cortnie LaMere and her husband Douglas and Taylor Ciaccio-Morrissey and her husband Scott.

Visitation is at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road in Westwood Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A celebration of her life will be held at the funeral home at 10 a.m. Friday. A private cremation will follow.

Memorial contributions in her name may be made to Animal Rescue R Us.

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Photo: Mary Barbara Gruber, 70 — Becker Funeral Home/Background image via Shutterstock