Formerly of Wayne, Clifton and Highland Lakes, youngest daughter of Michael and Mary Murphy (nee: Folliard), passed away during the early hours of

REGINA GRACE OPFER passed away on October 31, 2014, in Wayne, New Jersey. “Jeanna” was in her 102 year, having joined the world on April 24, 1913 during the administration of President Woodrow Wilson---also of New Jersey. Her parents, Michael Murphy and Mary Folliard Murphy, had emigrated from Ireland in the latter part of the nineteenth century and settled into the Newark area. Michael and Mary were married at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church on Market Street, which is now the location of the Priory Restaurant. Jeanna had three older siblings---John (Jack), Alice, and Eleanor. The Murphy family resided in East Orange, across from Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, which will now serve as her final peaceful resting place.

Jeanna was working at R.A. McDonough Tire in Newark, when she met her future husband, James D. Opfer, who had recently arrived from Lorain, Ohio. Jimmy and Jeanna frequently went to the popular Meadowbrook in Cedar Grove to dance and enjoy the music of “big bands,” including the Dorseys, Glenn Miller, Kay Kyser, and similar orchestras. During this time, Jimmy shared an apartment with two friends, Ray Geyer and Joe Murphy. He arranged for his two roommates to go on a triple date with Regina’s two sisters and an extended family was created, when the three roommates married three sisters. From then on, it was always Easter at Ray and Eleanor’s, Thanksgiving at Alice and Joe’s, and Christmas at Jim and Jeanna’s. Jeanna is the last surviving member of that generation.

After their marriage in 1934, Jimmy and Jeanna resided in Middletown, New York, then soon moved to Newburgh. They eventually returned to East Orange, where they lived with Mary Murphy. After the birth of their son, James, Jr., they purchased a home in Clifton. Shortly after, daughters Kathleen, Linda, and Ellen made their appearances. Mary Murphy eventually sold her home in East Orange and joined the Opfers in Clifton. Mary became a family fixture, until her death in 1969. A summer home was acquired in Highland Lakes in 1951, and the entire family spent many marvelous moments at “the lake,” until it was sold in 1999.

For many years, Jeanna was involved with the American Cancer Society of Passaic County and its annual fund-raiser. She was also active with volunteerism at Highland Lakes and placed unknown (but numerous) miles on her vehicle, while driving her children to school events, singing lessons, dance lessons, and similar activities. For nearly twenty years, Jeanna worked as a sales associate at Sterns department store. She initially retired at age 75 in 1988, but as a valued employee, she was asked to return. Jeanna finally retired at age 80 in 1993. In that year, her husband of 59 years passed away, and soon after she relocated to Siena Village in Wayne. For the past 2.5 years, Jeanna has resided at Sunrise House, also in Wayne.

Jeanna is survived by her children, James, Jr., and his wife Eileen (Vernon); Kathleen and her husband Joseph Bassett (Wilmington, North Carolina); Linda and her husband James Pollock (Wayne); and Ellen and her husband Kevin O’Brien (Littleton, Colorado). She also has thirteen grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews---residing from Florida to California to Canada to all of whom she has given and bequeathed her love of family and her wonderful sense of humor.