A. Maureen B. Wesche

Maureen Wesche, 92: Avid cook, expert knitter and "red-headed Aussie" Maureen Bell Wesche, mother, grandmother and wife, passed away on March 9 in Groton, CT. She lived a full life to the age of 92. She loved to cook and entertain, and could make the simplest meal feel like a gourmet feast. She could create a complicated fisherman's knit sweater while watching a game show and shouting out the answers. She was also involved with the Women's Air (Powder Puff) Derby, a transcontinental, women's only event. Born in Hurstville, New South Wales, Australia, she met dashing American Army Air Corps pilot Frederick Wesche at a Red Cross function during World War II. Fred and Maureen were married in 1946 and she came to the U.S. in 1947, settling in Roselle. They moved to Scotch Plains in 1953, where they raised three children and lived until 2001. Predeceasing Maureen were her husband, Frederick, and her son, Byron. Celebrating her life are her daughter, Jean Johnson, and son and daughter-in-law, Drew and Londa Wesche, as well as her grandchildren, Doreen Szollosi, Carol Ahearn, Noah Johnson-Buscemi and Erin Johnson-Buscemi. She also has four beautiful great-grandchildren: Antonio, Izabelle, Riley and Finn. Memorial donations may be made to bestfriends.org, an animal rescue association, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Maureen's visitation will begin at 12:30PM Friday March 17, 2017 at Gray Funeral Directors, 318 E. Broad St., Westfield, where her funeral service will begin at 1:30PM Friday. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Westfield. Please go to: www.grayfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences.