Obituary of Elizabeth Catherine Brady

It is with deep love and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Elizabeth Catherine Brady, lately of Montville, New Jersey, on December 17, 2024. Elizabeth was born on November 1, 1944, in Jersey City, and lived there until marrying and starting a family of her own. After raising her children in East Brunswick, Elizabeth eventually retired to Marshalls Creek, Pennsylvania, near where she had spent summers since childhood. She returned to New Jersey in 2022 to be closer to her beloved family.

A hard worker who dedicated herself to supporting her family, Elizabeth had a rich and varied career. She began as a switchboard operator for AT&T in New York City, worked in customer service roles for Macy's, and retired from the Visiting Nurse Association of Central New Jersey, where she was the union representative for many years, dedicated to supporting the nurses and staff both individually and in collective bargaining. Elizabeth had been active in the PTA, Pocono Heights committees, and NOW, including marching in Washington, DC.

In her retirement, Elizabeth graduated from East Stroudsburg University with a bachelor’s degree in women’s studies, enjoyed volunteering at Pocono Medical Center and the Pocono Cinema, and spent as much time as she could with relatives and friends.

Elizabeth was a woman of great strength and conviction and a vocal advocate for the underdog in any situation. Above all, Elizabeth was devoted to family and a steadfast friend who treasured lifelong relationships. Elizabeth’s legacy will live on forever in the hearts of her children, Elizabeth Stanton and her husband Kevin, Edward Sage and his wife Kate, and Andrew Varga and his wife Sheila; as well as her adored grandchildren, Oliver and Lillian Sage, Holly Stanton, and George Varga; her loving sister, Ann Marie Brady; and countless nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. With them, carrying on Elizabeth’s legacy are other incredible women, her dearest friends Carol Cantrella, who was by her side for the final years of her life, Carol Kafer, and Liberty Toto.

Elizabeth was predeceased by her siblings Catherine Rowe, Mary Fern, Nora Harder, Cornelius Brady, Joan Ternyik, John Brady, and Charles Brady; nieces and nephews Thomas, Luann, and John Fern; Christy Rowe Peterson, and Matthew Rowe; and dear friends, Jane Clark and Patricia Decker. She missed them every day.

Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Elizabeth’s life on Thursday, December 26th, at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. A Mass will follow at St. Mary’s Church, 15 Myers Avenue, Denville, at 1:00 pm. Burial will take place on Saturday, January 4th, at Moravian High Acres Cemetery, Pennsylvania 447 (Creek Road) and Dutch Hill Road, Canadensis, Pennsylvania, at 11:30 am.

We invite all who knew Elizabeth to share memories and stories, as her vibrant spirit will continue to inspire us all. She will forever be remembered for her courage, principles, and unwavering love for her family and friends.

Elizabeth loved flowers; flowers will always be appreciated and remind us all of her. If you wish to donate to the perpetual care of the cemetery Elizabeth cherished, in memory of the generations of Brady family members at rest there, please mail to: Moravian High Acres Cemetery Perpetual Care, 327 Marshallville Road, Woodbine, NJ 08270. Please note In memoriam, Brady.