Obituary of Evelyn Marie Mague

Evelyn Marie Mague, 90, died peacefully at home in the Gillette section of Long Hill Township, New Jersey, on Tuesday, January 6, 2015, with her daughters and her beloved cat at her side. Born Evelyn Marie Conrad on May 19, 1924 in Basking Ridge, Evelyn was a lifelong resident of New Jersey. She was the daughter of the late Raymond B. and Kitty (Saunders) Conrad of Basking Ridge. She was a graduate of Bernardsville High School. Evelyn devoted her life to working with animals, particularly cats. She was an internationally-known cat breeder and developer of the Somali cat breed. She was also dedicated to animal welfare work and a strong supporter of wildlife protection groups. In her younger days, Evelyn worked as a secretary for the FBI, Prudential Insurance, and CIBA. She was an avid horseback rider and played the violin. She was predeceased in 2006 by her husband of 56 years, Harry E. Mague. Evelyn is survived by her brother, Charles M. Conrad of Walnutport, Pennsylvania. She was predeceased by two sisters, Irene V. Harrison and Marian L. Hockenbury. She is survived by two daughters: Diane M. Stanley and her husband, Bruce. H. Stanley, of Lodi, New York, and their children, Evelyn and Philip; and Donna M. Weiss and her husband, Albert J. Weiss, of North Plainfield, New Jersey, and their children, Amanda and Andrew. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home in Basking Ridge. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM on Thursday, January 8, 2015. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Friday, January 9, 2015 at 11 AM with interment to follow at Somerset Hills Memorial Park, Basking Ridge. For further information please contact the funeral home at 908-766-0250, or to light an online condolence candle please visit our website at www.gcfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to The Plainfield Area Humane Society, 75 Rock Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07063