Plan for the Future
Loving Mother, Nana, and Sister
Kathleen M. Lieder, 65, of Bedminster, NJ, formerly of New Providence, NJ, passed peacefully on the morning of January 25, 2020 after her battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loved ones at the time of her passing.
Kathleen was a loving and devoted mother to her three children; Sean M. Smith and Carisa (Jackson) Smith of Warren, NJ, Kelly (Smith) Flannigan and Gavin Flannigan of Ringoes, NJ, and Nicholas and Emily (Weisgerber) Fuentes of Cranford, NJ. In addition, she is survived by her 5 precious grandchildren, whom were the light and joy in her life; Hayden (6) and Gunner (5) Smith, and Chloe (7), Brody (4), and Alexis (4) Flannigan. She is also survived by her brothers and sister; Stephen Lieder, Linda (Lieder) Allocco and Jerry Allocco, and John Lieder, as well as her maternal aunts Kathleen M. Bertram, Mauren M. Pfluger, and Mena B. McAllister, her paternal aunt Eilene L. Kenny, many nieces and nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her loving parents, Edward H. and Eileen (McAllister) Lieder.
Kathleen worked at Overlook Medical Center as a Leading Medical Record Specialist for the past 20 years. In and out of work she was known to many as “The Bulldog,” because of her get it done attitude. She stayed true to what she believed in and did not allow what others thought or said to impede her. She was honest and direct, and many admired her ability to say it like it was.
Kathleen thoroughly enjoyed caring for people and things. She spent her spare time at her children’s homes playing with the grandkids and helping out in any way that she could. She loved flowers and looked forward to spring when she could put her green thumb to work, cultivating her garden around her home. She spent early mornings and many evenings outside, surrounded by the beautiful blooms to which she tended, listening to the birds sing their praises for the day.
Kathleen loved to spend time in the summer enjoying the beach with her family relaxing by the ocean and creating memories. She also loved to bake, and even in her final months spent time in her kitchen making the perfect pie crust for the apple pie for Thanksgiving and baking Christmas cookies that were a tradition passed down from her mother.
Kathleen was fiercely strong, fiercely independent, and loved with every ounce of her being. Her smile could light up any room and her laugh was infectious. She will be missed by many and her absence will be felt for years to come.
