Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Calls outside of office hours? No worries! Our team will respond within 10–15 minutes.
May 18, 2026
Services
Family and friends are invited to gather for Memorial Visitation at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM.
A Funeral Service will be held during visitation, beginning at 4:00 PM at the funeral home.
Elyse Conrad, age 75, of Pompton Lakes, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by the love and presence of her family, on Monday, May 18, 2026.
George and Anna Mae (Stanard) Amelung’s third child, Elyse was born in Jersey City. She spent her early childhood there before moving with her family to First Street in Bergenfield during the year she entered kindergarten.
After graduating from Bergenfield High School with the Class of 1968, Elyse worked for a book publisher before relocating to Florida with her parents. When her parents later returned to New Jersey, Elyse chose to remain in Boynton Beach, Florida, where she had built a life of her own.
During a visit back home to New Jersey, Elyse found herself at the home of her cousin Gary, who happened to be close friends with a kind-hearted man named Wayne Conrad. Although Elyse and Wayne remembered one another from high school, the timing years earlier had never quite aligned. This reunion, however, proved different. Their first date took place at Libonati’s in Bergenfield, and just six months later Wayne proposed to Elyse at the Island Beach State Park Motor Lodge, with Elyse’s brother Bobby and his wife Eloise present as witnesses to the special moment. Elyse happily accepted Wayne’s proposal, and the two were married on Thursday, May 24, 1984, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tenafly. Following a reception at the Bergenfield Elks Lodge, they honeymooned in Orlando, Florida, where they visited Disney World and spent time with friends in Boynton Beach.
Wayne and Elyse began their married life together at the Brookchester Apartments in New Milford. It was there that they welcomed their beloved daughter, Michelle, and embraced the joys of parenthood. In the fall before Michelle entered kindergarten, the family purchased a home in Pompton Lakes, which would remain Elyse’s cherished home for the rest of her life.
Once Michelle reached an age of relative independence, Elyse began what would become a long and meaningful career as a waitress at Gilly’s Restaurant in Pompton Plains. For more than twenty-five years, she warmly served both longtime regulars and new patrons alike. Elyse genuinely loved her customers, and the affection they returned to her spoke volumes about the kindness and warmth she shared so naturally.
Elyse found boundless joy in reading and spent nearly every evening immersed in an enjoyable book, especially true crime, and mystery stories. Her Kindle became a constant companion, often enjoyed with one of her beloved dogs curled up beside her. Over the years there was Misty and Maggie, her Shetland Sheepdogs; Jill, a Shetland Sheepdog mix; and Daisy, her cherished Chihuahua and faithful lap companion. Elyse would insist each one was her favorite, though in truth she loved them all deeply. She was also a devoted fan of the New York Yankees. One particularly memorable day at Gilly’s, Elyse waited on a customer affiliated with the Yankees who was wearing one of the team’s championship rings. She was thrilled when the customer graciously allowed her to wear the ring for a photograph.
Elyse loved the beach — the sand, the sea, and the calming ocean breezes. When Michelle was young, the family enjoyed many vacations to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as well as treasured stays at their beachfront timeshare in Hilton Head. Being by the ocean brought Elyse a deep sense of happiness and peace. She also shared a special mother-daughter trip to the Dominican Republic with Michelle that remained close to her heart.
As summer faded into winter, Elyse eagerly embraced another season she dearly loved: Christmas. She found immense joy in transforming her home into a festive winter wonderland, adorned with thousands of lights and decorations that reflected her warmth, creativity, and holiday spirit.
Above all else, Elyse will be remembered as a sweet, kind, and deeply loving woman. Michelle described her as an incredible mother whose door was always open to family and friends alike. Neighborhood children knew they were always welcome, greeted by juice boxes, snacks, and Elyse’s generous hospitality. In recent years, Elyse’s greatest joy became her granddaughter, Madison. Caring for her while Michelle worked was a true labor of love, and Elyse delighted in every opportunity to spoil and cherish her precious granddaughter.
Elyse was the beloved and devoted wife of Wayne Conrad, blessed in marriage for 41 years. She was the loving mother of Michelle Conrad; adoring “Nanny” to her precious granddaughter Madison; dearest aunt of Dawn Fuller and her husband Bill, Robert Amelung, Jr., Jill Amelung, and Lauren Marco and her husband Greg; dear great-aunt of Autumn, Evan, Samantha, Anthony, and Gianna; and dear sister-in-law of Eloise Amelung of Dunedin, Florida. Elyse was predeceased by her siblings, Joyce Decanio, Robert Amelung, and Denise Amelung.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Family and friends are invited to gather for Memorial Visitation at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM.
A Funeral Service will be held during visitation, beginning at 4:00 PM at the funeral home.
May 18, 2026
Services
Family and friends are invited to gather for Memorial Visitation at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM.
A Funeral Service will be held during visitation, beginning at 4:00 PM at the funeral home.
Elyse Conrad, age 75, of Pompton Lakes, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by the love and presence of her family, on Monday, May 18, 2026.
George and Anna Mae (Stanard) Amelung’s third child, Elyse was born in Jersey City. She spent her early childhood there before moving with her family to First Street in Bergenfield during the year she entered kindergarten.
After graduating from Bergenfield High School with the Class of 1968, Elyse worked for a book publisher before relocating to Florida with her parents. When her parents later returned to New Jersey, Elyse chose to remain in Boynton Beach, Florida, where she had built a life of her own.
During a visit back home to New Jersey, Elyse found herself at the home of her cousin Gary, who happened to be close friends with a kind-hearted man named Wayne Conrad. Although Elyse and Wayne remembered one another from high school, the timing years earlier had never quite aligned. This reunion, however, proved different. Their first date took place at Libonati’s in Bergenfield, and just six months later Wayne proposed to Elyse at the Island Beach State Park Motor Lodge, with Elyse’s brother Bobby and his wife Eloise present as witnesses to the special moment. Elyse happily accepted Wayne’s proposal, and the two were married on Thursday, May 24, 1984, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tenafly. Following a reception at the Bergenfield Elks Lodge, they honeymooned in Orlando, Florida, where they visited Disney World and spent time with friends in Boynton Beach.
Wayne and Elyse began their married life together at the Brookchester Apartments in New Milford. It was there that they welcomed their beloved daughter, Michelle, and embraced the joys of parenthood. In the fall before Michelle entered kindergarten, the family purchased a home in Pompton Lakes, which would remain Elyse’s cherished home for the rest of her life.
Once Michelle reached an age of relative independence, Elyse began what would become a long and meaningful career as a waitress at Gilly’s Restaurant in Pompton Plains. For more than twenty-five years, she warmly served both longtime regulars and new patrons alike. Elyse genuinely loved her customers, and the affection they returned to her spoke volumes about the kindness and warmth she shared so naturally.
Elyse found boundless joy in reading and spent nearly every evening immersed in an enjoyable book, especially true crime, and mystery stories. Her Kindle became a constant companion, often enjoyed with one of her beloved dogs curled up beside her. Over the years there was Misty and Maggie, her Shetland Sheepdogs; Jill, a Shetland Sheepdog mix; and Daisy, her cherished Chihuahua and faithful lap companion. Elyse would insist each one was her favorite, though in truth she loved them all deeply. She was also a devoted fan of the New York Yankees. One particularly memorable day at Gilly’s, Elyse waited on a customer affiliated with the Yankees who was wearing one of the team’s championship rings. She was thrilled when the customer graciously allowed her to wear the ring for a photograph.
Elyse loved the beach — the sand, the sea, and the calming ocean breezes. When Michelle was young, the family enjoyed many vacations to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as well as treasured stays at their beachfront timeshare in Hilton Head. Being by the ocean brought Elyse a deep sense of happiness and peace. She also shared a special mother-daughter trip to the Dominican Republic with Michelle that remained close to her heart.
As summer faded into winter, Elyse eagerly embraced another season she dearly loved: Christmas. She found immense joy in transforming her home into a festive winter wonderland, adorned with thousands of lights and decorations that reflected her warmth, creativity, and holiday spirit.
Above all else, Elyse will be remembered as a sweet, kind, and deeply loving woman. Michelle described her as an incredible mother whose door was always open to family and friends alike. Neighborhood children knew they were always welcome, greeted by juice boxes, snacks, and Elyse’s generous hospitality. In recent years, Elyse’s greatest joy became her granddaughter, Madison. Caring for her while Michelle worked was a true labor of love, and Elyse delighted in every opportunity to spoil and cherish her precious granddaughter.
Elyse was the beloved and devoted wife of Wayne Conrad, blessed in marriage for 41 years. She was the loving mother of Michelle Conrad; adoring “Nanny” to her precious granddaughter Madison; dearest aunt of Dawn Fuller and her husband Bill, Robert Amelung, Jr., Jill Amelung, and Lauren Marco and her husband Greg; dear great-aunt of Autumn, Evan, Samantha, Anthony, and Gianna; and dear sister-in-law of Eloise Amelung of Dunedin, Florida. Elyse was predeceased by her siblings, Joyce Decanio, Robert Amelung, and Denise Amelung.
Guestbook