Edythe Wagner

Edythe J. Wagner (nee Adams), age 89, of Wayne passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Edythe was born and raised in Kearny, NJ and was the youngest of five children to Frank and Harriet Adams.  Edythe attended Kearny High School and graduated with the class of 1948.  While in high school, Edythe met a young fellow student by the name of James Wagner.  After she laid eyes on Jim, she never looked back.  The high school sweethearts dated for a few years and were married in 1950 not very long after their graduation.

Shortly after getting married, James received the call to serve his country in the United States Army.  Jim was shipped overseas to participate in the Korean Conflict.  While he was gone, Edythe moved in with her sister Harriet and brother-in-law Edmund in Bloomfield.  When James was honorably discharged and returned home from the war, the couple settled in Wayne.  After moving to Wayne Edythe and James welcomed their two sons Craig and Bill.  The couple raised their family in Wayne and remained there for the rest of their lives.  Edythe and James cherished an amazing sixty-seven years of loving and loyal marriage together until James’ passing in 2018.

Subsequent to graduating high school, Edythe found work quickly as a “Runner” at a bank in New York City.  She only worked there for about a year when she was offered a position as a secretary at Hoffman La Roche in Nutley.  While she was working for Hoffman La Roche, Edythe married James and then decided that she would devote herself to her family and become a homemaker.  Edythe remained a homemaker for many years until her children became teenagers. Edythe decided then that she would get herself back into the workplace.  Again, it wasn’t long until Edythe was offered another position as a secretary at American Cyanamid in Wayne.  Edythe was employed at American Cyanamid for many years until her retirement in 1990.

Throughout her life, Edythe had a strong faith in God and attended many different churches and denominations all over the Wayne area.  Edythe was quite a talented person and belonged to a Ceramic Club and a Wood Carving Club both located in Wayne.  There Edythe made close friends whom she cherished and loved to spend time with.  She was an avid reader of novels, one of her favorite authors being Catherine Cookson.  Edythe was thrilled that she was successful in passing on her love of reading to her son Bill who also loves to read.  Edythe was outgoing, she loved to talk to people and make friends wherever she went.  Edythe treasured summering throughout many different areas at the Jersey Shore with her siblings and her own family.  Her sister Harriet and her brother-in-law Ed would often accompany them there and to Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.  Aside from all of Edythe’s talents, hobbies and interests, her greatest passion was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Edythe than providing for and spending time with her family.  She was a truly devoted mother and grandmother.  Edythe hardly ever missed her granddaughters’ dance recitals.  Edythe was a very special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.

Edythe is survived by her two sons; Bill Wagner and his significant other Nancy Nolan of Pompton Lakes, and Craig Wagner and his wife Jeanne of Haddonfield, two grandchildren; Julie Wagner of New York City and Amy Wagner of Haddonfield, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her three sisters; Ruth Fladderer, Mary Jane Fish, and Harriet Kolano, and her one brother Frank Adams, Jr.  

In lieu of flowers, donations in Edythe’s name may be made to The Salvation Army, New Jersey Division P.O. Box 3170 Union, NJ 07083. https://give.salvationarmyusa.org