Anita M. (Varela) Maier

Anita M. (Varela) Maier, age 83 of Dunellen, passed away on September 4, 2025 in New Brunswick. She was the beloved wife of John Joseph Maier.

Born on May 26, 1942 in Teaneck, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Marie (Mohan) Varela.

Anita was the 2nd oldest of 7 children born to Frank & Marie.

She was a graduate of Saint Cecilia High School in Englewood and received her Bachelor of Nursing degree from Holy Name Hospital School of Nursing. Upon receiving her certification, Anita worked in the intensive care unit at Saint Peters Hospital in New Brunswick. She than became a staff nurse at Ethicon. While at Ethicon, she met husband John and they wed.

After having their 3 daughters, Anita decided to become a stay at home mom for 17 years. She was actively involved in the St. John’s Grammar School PTA, she coached her daughters in cheerleading, and was a Girl Scout leader. During this period, Anita attended and graduated from St Joseph’s College of Maine with a BA in Health Administration and returned to the work force as an Occupational Health Nurse at Union Carbide (currently DOW Chemical) in Bound Brook. From there, she retired at age 61.

Following her retirement, Anita worked at St Luke Roman Catholic Church in North Plainfield as a ministry coordinator and parish secretary. She officially retired there at the age of 77.

Anita was a talented vocalist and enjoyed being a song leader at St Luke’s parish and performing in their holiday choirs and events. Outside of church, she loved singing a good Frank Sinatra or Johnnie Ray song.

Anita was truly a leader who could make things happen. She organized and ran the Dunellen Christmas Luminary program and was quite often referred to as the “Luminary Lady.” This title encompasses the warmth and the glow of happiness Anita brought to people during the holidays. Profits from this program were always donated anonymously to people of need in town.

Family was everything to her and brought her the most joy. She was extremely proud of her daughters and grandchildren and could always be found at their school and sporting events.

Anita and John were avid travelers. Their journeys took them to many exotic places such as Tahiti, Hawaii, Bora Bora, Alaska, Bermuda, Italy, and Canada. They took many cruises to the Caribbean.

Anita loved to cook and prepare delicious holiday dinners and goodies for her family and friends.

She loved to dance beginning with tap as a child and progressing to the lindy with John.

Memories of Anita will always be in our hearts: picnics by her favorite spirea tree with the girls, family vacations to Lake George, Jersey shore, and Disney.

In addition to her husband John, Anita is survived by her daughters: Kathy Edmond and her husband Bob, Jeannie Drexinger and her husband John, and Debi Arabia and her husband Chris. Her grandchildren: Tyler Edmond and his wife Corinne, Travis Edmond and his wife Kaitlyn, Logan Edmond, Abby Arabia, and Janssens Arabia. Her Great Grandson, Maxwell John Edmond. Her siblings: Bob Varela and his wife Ellen, Lorraine Farr and her husband Jack, Ray Varela and his wife Margaret, Ken Varela and his wife Berni, and Tom Varela and his wife Linda. She is also survived by many loved in-laws, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

In addition to her parents, Anita is preceded in death by her brother Jerry Varela.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend her viewing on Monday evening, September 8, 2025 at Sheenan Funeral Home, 233 Dunellen Avenue, Dunellen from 4 PM to 8 PM and to her funeral mass on Tuesday, September 9th, at 9:30 AM at St Lukes RC Church, 300 Clinton Avenue, North Plainfield. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemtery, Piscataway..

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Anita's memory can be made to "Parker Health Group" at Parker Landing Lane C/O Robin Berkman, 501 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

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