Bertha Kappus

Bertha "Bert" Kappus, 99, of Washington Township passed away peacefully November 9, 2023, at St. Luke's Warren Hospital.

Born in Bound Brook, NJ on June 24, 1924, Bert grew up in Bound Brook and graduated from Bound Brook High School Class of 1942. She met her late husband Paul J. Kappus while working at Union Carbide. Together they raised seven children and founded Kappus Plastic Company, Inc. in 1970. Bert was active in the business until her retirement in 1996.

She was a past parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Whitehouse Station. There, she started their gift shop and served as an Altar Rosary Society president. Most recently, she belonged to St. Ann's Catholic Church in Hampton where she attended weekly mass and did Adoration for many years.

A devout Catholic, her days began with a rosary and a cup of coffee. She prayed for everyone and about everything, tacking on what she called 'gimme' prayers. "Gimme this, gimme that," she would chuckle.

Bert was a strong woman and believed things in life are earned, not given. In her free time, she would garden, crochet, and read books often provided by family friends. She loved her family and cherished spending time with them at the Jersey Shore and in Florida. Water views were described as heaven.

She also enjoyed cooking and was described as a person "who could make something out of nothing" by her late brother-in-law. Bert took pride in being resourceful, never letting food go to waste.

If you asked her how she got to be 99, she would chalk it up to hard work and white wine. When 5 o'clock hit, it was time to pour a glass and boss others around.

"You will miss me when I'm gone!" she would joke and, she was right. We will miss her dearly.

Bert is survived by her children, John Kappus (Cathy), Noel Kappus (Theresa), Kathleen Plenkers (Gerd), Thomas Kappus (Tracey), Annette Gormly (Mark) and Robert Kappus (Cheryl); a daughter in-law, Sharon Kappus and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Bert was preceded in death by a son, Paul Kappus.

Family and friends may pay their respects on Thursday, November 16, 2023, from 4-7 PM at the Warren Hills Memorial Home. 234 W. Washington Ave. Washington, NJ 07882.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, November 17, 2023, at 10:30 AM at The Church of Saint Ann, 6 Church Street. Hampton, NJ 08827. Interment will follow in the Parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bertha's memory to The Church of St. Ann, PO Box 405, Hampton, NJ 08827