Fern Mary Wass, known by her family as Mom, Grandma and GG, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 1 set, 2022 at the age of 94.
She was born Fern Mary Pickel in West Orange, New Jersey and lived the majority of her life at the Jersey shore where she raised her seven children along with her husband Robert Wass who predeceased her in February, 1996.
Fern earned her RN degree in 1949 from West Orange Memorial and had a long and rewarding career in the field of nursing where she held positions of OR nurse, Director of Nurses at several nursing home facilities and ultimately ending her nursing career as a Corporate Nurse overseeing a group of facilities in New Jersey and Florida. Fern and her husband moved to Florida and resided in Summerfield and remained there until 2006 when she moved to Lakeview Terrace.
In addition to raising her family and having a career in nursing, she was extremely involved in her community. Her dedication started at a young age when at the age of 14 she volunteered each Sunday at the local orthopedic hospital and at age 15-16 in the lab at the Montclair Community Hospital. Involvement in her community continued as an adult as she was a charter member and ultimately the President of the League of Women Voters in Ocean Township, New Jersey. She was den mother to her son’s cub scouts troops and active in the school PTA. If there was something that needed to get done, Fern was there to lend a hand. After retiring from her formal nursing career, she still had the yearning to help people and started a consulting business providing geriatric case management to families in need of guidance for their aging parents. She worked in this business for three years and retired for a second time.
Fern volunteered at Leesburg Regional Medical Center for 8 years and ultimately became President of the Hospital Auxiliary. After moving to Lakeview Terrace her involvement continued with her work in the LVT residence association where she was a Vice President and eventually President of the association for two years. She loved living at Lakeview Terrace and getting involved in many activities including working at the country store, volunteering at the warehouse, singing in the choir and playing mah jong. In her later years, she was devoted to her adorable little dog, Miko, who was her constant companion.
Fern leaves her seven children and spouses Adam (Patty) Wass of Santa Ana, CA; Fern (David) Leslie of Hinsdale, MA; Robert Wass, Jr (Nancy – predeceased) of Lakewood, NJ; Kathleen (Edward) Binder of Washington, DC; Howard (Lynne) Wass of Hamilton, NJ; Francis (Erin Dolan) Wass of Loch Arbor, NJ; Rita Ann (Arthur) Goeller of Scotch Plains, NJ and 16 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be scheduled at a future date. Fern’s devotion to St. Jude throughout her life was a source of constant comfort to her. Donations s memory can be made to the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
