Ela Rink

Ela Rink, (nee Barolin), age 88, formerly of Wayne passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Ela was born and raised in LaPaz, Argentina and was one of three children to Emilio and Raquel Barolin.  After graduating from high school, Ela attended college earning her Bachelor’s Degree and became a Registered Nurse graduating with high honors.  Ela worked as a Registered Nurse in hospitals in Argentina for a couple of years when in 1959 she immigrated to the United States in search of a better life and the American Dream.”

Upon entering the United States, she joined her brother and sister settling in Queens, NY.  Ela found work quickly in the United States at a factory plant that manufactured television sets.  After getting settled in the United States for a few years, Ela accepted another position in social services in Paterson, NJ.  Subsequent to her time working in social services, Ela took on a position in childcare, work that she truly and sincerely enjoyed.  Ela worked in childcare until her health had forced her to stop and retire some years ago.

In 1961 while an active member of the Christian Assembly Church in Paterson, Ela met a fellow member, a handsome young man by the name of Herbert Rink.  Ela and Herbert hit it off well to say the least.  They fell in love and were married five months later on September 1, 1961 in their church.  Shortly after getting married the couple settled in Prospect Park, NJ where they welcomed the births of their two children Kenneth and Heidi.  In 1970, as the family grew, they moved to Wayne Township where they raised their children.  Ela was sincerely devoted to her Christian Faith, she and her family were members of the Wayne Christian Assembly Church for many years.  While active at the church, Ela treasured working with young people, providing them with assistance, nurturing, and guidance.  Ela always had her home open to those in need, especially young people.

Ela enjoyed knitting and was a truly fond of animals.  People in her neighborhood would often drop off sick animals such as birds that had fallen out of trees.  Ela would take them in and nurture them back to health.  She also enjoyed traveling to North Carolina to visit her son and spend time with her grandchildren.  In addition, Ela revisiting her homeland of Argentina on two very memorable occasions.  

Ela was a quiet woman and did not crave being the center of attention by any means.  She had an enormous heart that was always open to those who needed it.  She was well known by her family and friends as “The Best Hugger.”  Aside from all of Ela’s talents, hobbies, and interests, her greatest passion was for her family.  Ela was a truly devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.  She and her husband Herbert treasured more than thirty-five years of loving and loyal marriage until Herbert’s passing in 1996.  Ela was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.

Ela is survived by her son Kenneth and his wife Lynn of Millers Creek, NC, her daughter Heidi Philippi an her husband Frans of Lincoln Park, NJ, one brother Nestor Barolin and his wife Yvonne of Argentina, and five grandchildren; Jacob Philippi of Lincoln Park, Caleb Philippi of Lincoln Park, Shannon Philippi of Lincoln Park, Adriana Rink of Sugar Grove, NC, and Joanna Rink of Sugar Grove, NC, an many loved nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her husband Herbert Rink in 1996, and her sister Elma Beccaria in 2009.