Marie Richey Staats
August 12, 1930 – February 20, 2020
Long-time Belle Mead Resident
Marie Staats, 89, passed away on February 20. Marie was born in 1930 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and grew up in Princeton, New Jersey. She was the daughter of the late Rocco and Adele (Kuchinsky) Richey.
Marie graduated from Princeton High School in 1947 and the next year she married the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Staats. Together they raised a family of seven children in Belle Mead.
After raising her family, Marie worked at Bamberger’s Department Store in Princeton and Epstein’s at Market Fair. She worked for Federal Express for several years, retiring in 1993. She was a member of the Griggstown Reformed Church.
Bob and Marie vacationed for many years in Seaside before buying a home in Surf City on Long Beach Island, which they owned for many years. The family enjoyed many good times at the Jersey Shore, including time on the beach, crabbing and fishing in the bay on Bob’s boat, after which they had legendary crab feasts. Bob and Marie treasured their friendships over the years, enjoying time playing pinochle and other card games and entertaining at their homes. Marie especially loved to travel. She and her husband went on many trips within the United States and Europe.
Marie was at the center of her large family. Her generous nature meant that her door was always open. She made everyone feel welcome in her home, and it became a second home to many of her children’s friends. No matter how many people were at her house, there was always room and plenty of food for one more. During the holidays, the house was a hub of activity, filled with relatives, good food and laughter.
Marie was a big-hearted person who loved nothing more than being surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Marie and her husband made family a priority, a legacy that lives on in the lives of their children and grandchildren.
Marie and her husband Bob were married for 69 years before he passed away in 2018. In addition to her husband, Marie was predeceased by her son, William Staats, Sr., daughter-in-law, Marilyn Staats and sister-in-law, June Richey.
Marie is survived by her son Robert A. Staats, Jr. (Dorothy) of Skillman; daughter Deborah Strauss (Robert) of Somerset; son Charles Staats (Julie) of Belle Mead; daughter Sherry Baldwin (David) of Yardville; son Theodore Staats of Charlotte, NC; and daughter Cynthia Daly (Michael) of Edison.
She is survived by 17 grandchildren: Stephanie Staats, William Staats, Jr. (Tina), Amy Staats, Brian Staats (Kelley), Jason Strauss (Katie), Michael Strauss (Angelina), Laura Strauss, Melissa Fischer (Brian), Evan Staats (Masami), Scott Staats (Mallory), Kahler Staats (Alex Mann), Heather Guagliardo (Matthew), Daniel Baldwin (Rachel), Kelly Baldwin, Megan Daly, Tim Daly, and Ryan Daly.
She is also survived by 19 great-grandchildren. In addition, she is survived by her brothers, Gene Richey (Denise Wilson) of Muncy, Pennsylvania and Robert Richey (Sandy) of Hamilton; her sister Patricia Donohue (Patrick) of Columbia, South Carolina; and her sister-in-law Peggy Varga of Belle Mead.
Visiting hours will be at Hillsborough Funeral Home on Friday, February 28 from 4 pm to 7 pm. Relatives and friends are invited to a funeral service at Griggstown Reformed Church on Saturday, February 29 at 1 pm. A repast at the Griggstown Fellowship Hall will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may to be made to the Griggstown Reformed Church, 1065 Canal Road, Princeton, NJ 08540.
