Elizabeth Heberling

Elizabeth (Bunny) Heberling, Age 82, a 30-year Wayne resident before moving to Dingmans Ferry, PA in 2020, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family. She and her late husband, Robert (Bob) moved to Stockholm, NJ in 1972 where they resided for 22 years raising their three girls.

Elizabeth was born on Easter Sunday, April 13, 1941. Her family nicknamed her Bunny which has remained with her throughout her life. Bunny had different jobs over the years from working as a bakery sales clerk; as a secretary and bookkeeper for her brothers’ business, J&J Pumps; and most importantly, as a homemaker, mother, and grandmother. She especially enjoyed the days when her grandchildren were young, and she drove them and other neighborhood children to and from school. She became known as the “candy lady” for handing out sweets and snacks. She was also known for her Easter Egg Hunts that she held for the neighborhood kids. A lot of work went into this event including stuffing hundreds of eggs, a life-size Easter Bunny costume, and making enough Easter baskets to ensure every child received one. The hunts were a big hit with the kids as well as their parents. Everyone had a fun time.

Bunny was very active in her church community and enjoyed volunteering for various church events at St. John Vianney’s in Stockholm and Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Wayne. Organizing church picnics, Christmas craft sales, and bingo nights kept her busy. She missed seeing her friends at ABVM after moving to Pennsylvania.

Bunny was an extremely generous and thoughtful person. She was very mindful of others’ needs even when she was going through a rough patch herself. Aside from her love for God, her love of family was beyond all measure. She may have disagreed with or criticized a family member’s actions, but you did not dare! She was like a mother bear protecting her cubs when it came to her family. She felt blessed to have each one of them as part of her life. We definitely were blessed to have had her in our lives. She truly will be missed.

Bunny is predeceased by her beloved husband of fifty-five years, Robert (Bob); her precious daughter, Mary Whitehead; her parents, James and Eileen McGrogan; Stepfather Claude Merino; her sister, Eileen (William) Massaro; her brothers, James and William (Bonnie) McGrogan; her nephew, Anthony Aguanno; her in-laws, Joseph and Sophie Heberling.

Bunny is survived by her daughter Theresa and her husband David Martin of Dingmans Ferry, PA; her daughter Denise and her husband William Kane of Whitehouse Station, NJ; five grandchildren Sean, Ryan, Michael, Kayleigh and Brianna; two sisters, Sheila Lothian of Inverness, FL and Mary (Phil) Aguanno of Vernon, NJ; her brother, John McGrogan of Oak Ridge, NJ; her sister-in-law and best friend, Anna May (James) McGrogan of Wayne, NJ; and two brothers-in-law, Donald Heberling of Eatontown, NJ and Richard Heberling of Mooresville, NC and many nieces and nephews.  She also leaves behind her cat Baby Bobbie, and four grand-pups, Charlie, Alvie, Bella, and Elvis who will miss all the treats she gave.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bunny’s memory can be made to: Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation, 99 Sparta Avenue, Newton, NJ 07860  karenannquinlanhospice.org