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August 17, 2013
Services
Friends may visit with Earlene’s family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM.
A Memorial Service celebrating Earlene’s life and relationship with her Lord will take place at the Preakness Baptist Church, 1441 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Saturday, August 24, 2013, beginning at 11:00 AM.
Earlene Louise Smith, age 71 of Wayne, NJ passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, August 17, 2013.
Earlene was born in Warren, Ohio and moved to New Jersey with her parents Neal and Madeleine Smith when she was a small child. They settled in River Edge and lived there for many years. Earlene graduated from River Dell High School in 1960 and then went on to major in Psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she received a BA in 1964. She spent most of her career working in customer service for corporations such as Motorola and National Air Filter and was known for her sunny disposition and pleasant voice over the telephone!
As a devoted grandmother and mother, Earlene’s most precious times involved being with her family – especially her two grandchildren. She spent many wonderful years taking them on adventures and teaching them about our beautiful world, as well as encouraging them in all of their activities. She will always be in their hearts.
Earlene so loved the Lord and was an active member of Preakness Baptist Church in Wayne, and enjoyed spending her time in Bible study and retreats with her church community. She also spent many years devoting her time to volunteer work for various causes and organizations, including volunteering at The Valley Hospital as a pet escort for their pet therapy program, which she greatly enjoyed.
Earlene also loved to travel the world with her friends and family, appreciating nature, history and people around the globe. Favorite travels included two trips to Israel, where she was baptized in the Jordan River, as well as travels to the Danube River and Eastern Europe, Ireland, China and many visits throughout the glorious United States of America such as the Grand Canyon, Alaska, the southern states and Disney World. Local day trips and hikes in nature also gave Earlene great joy, and she rarely missed an opportunity to go somewhere or explore something new.
Earlene was proud to be a survivor of two previous cancers, and inspired everyone she knew with her unwavering faith in God and her exceptionally positive outlook. She always had an encouraging word or smile for other cancer patients, even on her toughest days. She awed and inspired others with her faith and strength even through her final hours, and she will continue to do so as her lasting legacy to her family, friends and everyone who was fortunate enough to cross her path.
Surviving Earlene is her loving daughter, Jane He (nee Barbieri) and her husband Zuobin “Peter” of Wayne, as well as cherished grandson Quinn He and beloved granddaughter Jade He. She also leaves behind a devoted step-daughter, Nina DeLuca of West Caldwell. Earlene shared her life with many dear friends, including Joan Vieira, Joanne Slawenski, Lena Marrafioti, Pastor Jane Harlan, Sylvia Gallen, as well as a special “niece”, Susan George.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Preakness Baptist Church.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with Earlene’s family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM.
A Memorial Service celebrating Earlene’s life and relationship with her Lord will take place at the Preakness Baptist Church, 1441 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Saturday, August 24, 2013, beginning at 11:00 AM.
August 17, 2013
Services
Friends may visit with Earlene’s family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM.
A Memorial Service celebrating Earlene’s life and relationship with her Lord will take place at the Preakness Baptist Church, 1441 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Saturday, August 24, 2013, beginning at 11:00 AM.
Earlene Louise Smith, age 71 of Wayne, NJ passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, August 17, 2013.
Earlene was born in Warren, Ohio and moved to New Jersey with her parents Neal and Madeleine Smith when she was a small child. They settled in River Edge and lived there for many years. Earlene graduated from River Dell High School in 1960 and then went on to major in Psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she received a BA in 1964. She spent most of her career working in customer service for corporations such as Motorola and National Air Filter and was known for her sunny disposition and pleasant voice over the telephone!
As a devoted grandmother and mother, Earlene’s most precious times involved being with her family – especially her two grandchildren. She spent many wonderful years taking them on adventures and teaching them about our beautiful world, as well as encouraging them in all of their activities. She will always be in their hearts.
Earlene so loved the Lord and was an active member of Preakness Baptist Church in Wayne, and enjoyed spending her time in Bible study and retreats with her church community. She also spent many years devoting her time to volunteer work for various causes and organizations, including volunteering at The Valley Hospital as a pet escort for their pet therapy program, which she greatly enjoyed.
Earlene also loved to travel the world with her friends and family, appreciating nature, history and people around the globe. Favorite travels included two trips to Israel, where she was baptized in the Jordan River, as well as travels to the Danube River and Eastern Europe, Ireland, China and many visits throughout the glorious United States of America such as the Grand Canyon, Alaska, the southern states and Disney World. Local day trips and hikes in nature also gave Earlene great joy, and she rarely missed an opportunity to go somewhere or explore something new.
Earlene was proud to be a survivor of two previous cancers, and inspired everyone she knew with her unwavering faith in God and her exceptionally positive outlook. She always had an encouraging word or smile for other cancer patients, even on her toughest days. She awed and inspired others with her faith and strength even through her final hours, and she will continue to do so as her lasting legacy to her family, friends and everyone who was fortunate enough to cross her path.
Surviving Earlene is her loving daughter, Jane He (nee Barbieri) and her husband Zuobin “Peter” of Wayne, as well as cherished grandson Quinn He and beloved granddaughter Jade He. She also leaves behind a devoted step-daughter, Nina DeLuca of West Caldwell. Earlene shared her life with many dear friends, including Joan Vieira, Joanne Slawenski, Lena Marrafioti, Pastor Jane Harlan, Sylvia Gallen, as well as a special “niece”, Susan George.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Preakness Baptist Church.
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