Obituary for Petra Blau (Schwake)
In a bomb shelter in Hannover, Germany, Christmas 1944, Petra Schwake was born. She was held up in a Christmas tree, bringing love and joy to everyone except the doctor who had to leave his family to deliver her. She continued to bring love and joy to everyone she met, thereafter.
Petra came to Paterson in 1950 with her mother and brother, and she was grateful for the opportunities found in America. She would never have to eat lard sandwiches again.
She was a 1964 graduate of Central High School.
Petra Schwake soon became Petra Blau, and she moved to North Haledon when she married the son of the best mayor that little town has ever seen. Alvin G. Blau (2006) was like a father to her.
She raised her two daughters, Lisa Comer and Kristine Blau, and managed the house while working nights at Sound Security Systems. Before retiring and moving to Hawthorne, she was a dispatcher with the North Haledon Police Department.
Sacrificing everything and always putting others first, she never complained. Petra would volunteer whenever needed—- school events, class mom, Girl Scouts, etc., even though she hadn’t slept after working all night. She never had the latest fashions or sparkly jewelry, but her daughters never went without. She would give up her plate of food and pretend she wasn’t hungry. She really could have kept the Lima beans, though.
What brought her the greatest pleasure in life were her four grandchildren. She was the most devoted Oma to Alex Blau, CJ Natale, Karly Inserra, and Erik Inserra. She always made sure Alex didn’t get ripped off on his birthday because she knew how it felt getting Christmas/ birthday combination presents. She adopted CJ’s cats, Kitten and Bear, so he would still be able to see them when he visited her. Karly was her favorite granddaughter, with whom she shared a passionate love of Elvis until the very end. She always played Monopoly with Erik, even though she knew he cheated every time.
Proudly, she was a master of “the look,” passed down from her mother, which she used to raise her daughters and grandchildren.
How does one top being born on Christmas, you may wonder? Leaving this earth on Easter would only be fitting. That just sums up her life.
She is survived by her daughters and grandchildren mentioned above, nieces Linda Schwake, Charlanne Gasper, Stefanie, and Tracy, nephew Pete Schwake, grand-nieces Sara, Dana, and Lindsey, grand-nephew Toby, sisters-in-law Diane Schwake, Ruth Hodges, and Honey Rowen, her cousin Angelika, and Tante Gerda.
Making the journey before her are her father Frederick, her mother Frieda, her favorite brother Peter, nephew Steven, grand-nieces Kimberly and Amanda, and several beloved Aunts.
Prior to cremation, services will be private. In lieu of flowers, send some to those still living while they can appreciate them.
Petra came to Paterson in 1950 with her mother and brother, and she was grateful for the opportunities found in America. She would never have to eat lard sandwiches again.
She was a 1964 graduate of Central High School.
Petra Schwake soon became Petra Blau, and she moved to North Haledon when she married the son of the best mayor that little town has ever seen. Alvin G. Blau (2006) was like a father to her.
She raised her two daughters, Lisa Comer and Kristine Blau, and managed the house while working nights at Sound Security Systems. Before retiring and moving to Hawthorne, she was a dispatcher with the North Haledon Police Department.
Sacrificing everything and always putting others first, she never complained. Petra would volunteer whenever needed—- school events, class mom, Girl Scouts, etc., even though she hadn’t slept after working all night. She never had the latest fashions or sparkly jewelry, but her daughters never went without. She would give up her plate of food and pretend she wasn’t hungry. She really could have kept the Lima beans, though.
What brought her the greatest pleasure in life were her four grandchildren. She was the most devoted Oma to Alex Blau, CJ Natale, Karly Inserra, and Erik Inserra. She always made sure Alex didn’t get ripped off on his birthday because she knew how it felt getting Christmas/ birthday combination presents. She adopted CJ’s cats, Kitten and Bear, so he would still be able to see them when he visited her. Karly was her favorite granddaughter, with whom she shared a passionate love of Elvis until the very end. She always played Monopoly with Erik, even though she knew he cheated every time.
Proudly, she was a master of “the look,” passed down from her mother, which she used to raise her daughters and grandchildren.
How does one top being born on Christmas, you may wonder? Leaving this earth on Easter would only be fitting. That just sums up her life.
She is survived by her daughters and grandchildren mentioned above, nieces Linda Schwake, Charlanne Gasper, Stefanie, and Tracy, nephew Pete Schwake, grand-nieces Sara, Dana, and Lindsey, grand-nephew Toby, sisters-in-law Diane Schwake, Ruth Hodges, and Honey Rowen, her cousin Angelika, and Tante Gerda.
Making the journey before her are her father Frederick, her mother Frieda, her favorite brother Peter, nephew Steven, grand-nieces Kimberly and Amanda, and several beloved Aunts.
Prior to cremation, services will be private. In lieu of flowers, send some to those still living while they can appreciate them.