Marie Biernacki, nee Spindler of South River, age 86, passed away on Saturday, August 30 at St. Peter's Medical Center, New Brunswick surrounded by her loving family. Born in New York City, Marie lived in South River for most of her life and was a communicant of St. Mary's R.C., South River.

Marie was predeceased by her parents, Sophie & Joseph Spindler and her brother, Walter Spindler. Surviving are her husband of 66 years, Zigmond F. Biernacki, Jr.; her children and their spouses, Marie & Anthony Tirrell, Linda & John Grimm, Zigmond, III & Barbara; her grandchildren, Jill Tirrell, Elyse Tirrell, Jennifer & Kevin LaScala , Jonathan Grimm, Daniel & Katharine Biernacki, Katherine Biernacki ; her great-grandchildren, Julia & Blaise DeMairo, Charlotte LaScala; her sister, Lillian Mortimer and many loving nieces & nephews.

As the doting matriarch of the family, Marie was prolific in designing and making her loved ones' First Communion dresses, baptismal outfits and hand-crocheted and knitted treasures for the last four generations.

Marie was an avid gardener and took pride in providing her family with seedlings and cuttings that continue to flourish and grow in her memory. She extended her knowledge of grafting multiple fruit trees onto a single tree to her family so that they may continue this almost forgotten practice.

She took pride in the bounty of her garden and was an avid cook and preserver of her garden rewards. Her family was provided with her heritage recipes that she perfected after years of trial and error hoping they will be passed on from generation to generation.

Her park-like front yard, filled with a variety of roses, shrubs, trees and grape vines, was admired by all who passed by her home; often stopping to converse with her while she sat on her front yard glider swing handcrafted by her husband.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday 8:30am from the Maliszewski Funeral Home 218 Whitehead Avenue, South River followed by a 9am mass at Saint Mary of Ostrabrama R. C. Church with burial to follow at Washington Monumental Cemetery, South River.

Calling hours at the funeral home will be held Tuesday September 2nd, 2014 from 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9pm.