Obituary of Marie Bruno Pratscher

Funeral services for Mrs. Marie Bruno Pratscher will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 17th at Higgins Home For Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd. Watchung. Mrs. Pratscher died on Saturday, June 14th at her home in Green Brook . She was born in Metuchen and had lived in Scotch Plains and North Plainfield before moving to Green Brook in 1999. The Pratscher family owns and operates Stanley Florist which has several shops throughout the central Jersey area. The history of her involvement in the floral business and her commitment to flowers began when her father, Lucien Bruno, a prominent sculptor and architect, started to grow nursery stock on his land in Metuchen. He also grew flowers in his private greenhouse. The former Marie Bruno married Philip Pratscher in 1939 and in 1941 they purchased the Metuchen Conservatory Florist. In 1945 they purchased Stanleys Florist Shop on East Front Street in Plainfield, which continues to be owned and operated by the Pratscher family. The business expanded to several other locations. Over the last 20 years Teleflora and FTD have recognized Stanleys as one of the top fifty florists in the nation. Marie retired in 1970. She was a member of the New Market Baptist Church, a member and past officer of the Womens Auxiliary of the Plainfield Elks Club B.P.O.E. 885, and a member of the North Plainfield Italian American Club, North Plainfield Rescue Squad and the North Plainfield Seniors. Maries love for all things creative led her to attend the duCret School of the Arts in Plainfield. Besides her interest in all forms of art from oil painting to floral design, Marie also enjoyed traveling throughout Europe and went on cruises throughout the world. She also enjoyed the theatre and opera. Surviving are her daughter Elizabeth Slivoski Goula, her son Robert Lucien Prastcher, two sisters Louise Vogel and Frieda Mlott, two brothers Red Bruno and Hank Bruno, four grandchildren, and two great grandsons. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 17th at 10:00 a.m. at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Boulevard, Watchung. Entombment will follow at Lake Nelson Memorial Park, Piscataway. Visitation will be Monday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. For directions or condolence visits contact www.higginsfuneralhome.com.