Obituary of Margaret H. Friel

Margaret Friel passed peacefully on Sunday, September 9, 2018.  She share 91 years of faith and love with her family and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, September 13^th at 10 am at St. Cecilia’s Parish, Rockaway.  Interment to follow at Maryrest Cemetery.  Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, September 12^th from 5-8 pm at Norman Dean Home For Services, 16 Righter Ave., Denville.  Donations in her name may be made to the good work of Stand Up To Cancer by way of www.inmemoryof-memorial.org.

Marge was born in December of 1926.  She was the tenth and final baby to bless the late Thomas and Rose Hyland.  She grew up in Jersey City and attended St. Paul’s High School.  As a young woman she met Charles Keppler and after a whirlwind romance they married and settled in Teaneck to start a family of their own.  Sadly, in 1964 Charles passed, leaving Margaret with three young children.  Being a product of the greatest generation, she persevered and worked hard to give her family a beautiful life and home filled with much love. She was an exceptional Mom and always put the kids first.  As the years passed, she met Patrick Friel and they married in 1977.  They had a wonderful life together and enjoyed many years of happiness and time spent in Florida. 

In her early years, Margaret was a National Roller Skater.  She was always very athletic.  She played softball until the age of 55 and then took up tap dancing.  She performed tap for over 20 years.  She was our superstar.  She worked for BASF and Mercedes Benz as an executive secretary, both of which she enjoyed. 

Her greatest joys of course were her grandchildren.  She was the proud Grandma to eight and the doting Great Grandma to ten little ones.  The sun rose and set on the kids and she would brag of them to whoever would listen. 

Predecease by her husband Charles Keppler and Patrick Friel; she leaves beautiful memories to her children Charles Keppler (Carol), Kathleen (Julius) von Sternberg, and Stephen Keppler (Cindy); daughter in law Dorothy Keppler-Abbott; her grandchildren Cindy Klenke (Clayton), Chrissy Cox (Mike), Emily Real (Frank), Chip Keppler (Alyssa), Amy von Sternberg, Zachary von Sterberg (Corinne), and Benjamin and Andrew Keppler; her great grandchildren Matt, Josh, Gracie, Carson, Cohen, Cooper, Charlotte, Victor, Stephen ad Trevor; and many more dear relatives and friends.