Obituary of Irene E Kandels

Irene E. Kandels (nee Becker), age 81, of Milford, NJ, passed away Saturday, December 26, 2020.  Born March 16, 1939 in Senftenberg, Germany to the late Karl Becker and the late Berta (nee Christ) Becker.

Irene and her family came to the US from Germany on December 9, 1954. They lived in Hoboken NJ, where Irene graduated from Demerest High School in 1958. After graduation, she worked at Chase Manhattan Bank in New York City. She married her beloved husband, Nikolaus Kandels, on July 11, 1965.  Together they had two children, Michele and Steven.  Being a mother was her greatest joy. Irene and Nick lived in Elizabeth, NJ and after their children were born, moved to Bound Brook, NJ, where they opened the very successfulForget-Me-Not Bakery. Irene used her creative talents to decorate cakes and used her previous skills to manage the bakery. And then they later moved to Clifton, NJ and opened The Village Bakery. She and her husband moved to Palisades Park after they semi-retired, and both worked at the Palisades Park Bakery until their retirement. They then moved to Milford, NJ to be closer to their children and grandchildren. 

Irene, who was affectionately referred to as “Oma” by everyone, enjoyed being a grandmother, and loved to bake with her grandchildren.  She and her husband frequently went to visit family in Germany.  

Irene will be forever missed by her daughter, Michele Schneider and her husband James of Milford, NJ; son, Steven Kandels and his wife Kimberly of South Plainfield, NJ; grandchildren, Matthew Schneider, Nicole Schneider, Ryan Kandels, and Christopher Kandels; sisters, Rita Goodrich and her husband Bobby of Houston, TX, and Conny Becker of DE; many nieces and nephews; and extended family in Germany.

Irene is predeceased by her parents, Karl and Berta Becker; brother, Wolfgang Becker; and husband, Nikolaus Kandels.

Friends and relatives may gather with the family on Thursday, December 31, 2020 from 9:30 am until 11:30 am at Martin Funeral Home, 1761 Rt 31, Clinton, NJ 08809.  A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 12:00pm at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 2 White Bridge Rd., Pittstown, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Irene’s name can be made to St. Catherine of Siena Church.