Obituary of Brenda Mandeen

BRENDA MANDEEN 99, RESIDENT OF BASKING RIDGE Brenda Moira Delany Mandeen , 99, of Basking Ridge, passed away on Monday December 7, 2020 at Morristown Memorial Hospital after a fall on December 6,2020. She was born on September 21, 1921 in Sao Paulo ,Sao Paulo, Brazil to Dagmar and Octavius Delany. She was graduated from McKenzie College in 1941 as a bi-lingual secretary. She worked at various companies and offices including the Swedish consulate and the telephone company. She did very well in her profession and changed jobs to gain more responsibility and income. She did so well that she was able to buy her own car. Quite an accomplishment for a woman of her time. Brenda also frequented the English club where she and her sister and brothers attended dances and socialized with Brazilians, British and American expatriates. She met her husband Eldridge, an American, who was working for Power and Light Company. After a whirlwind romance they were married on December 8, 1948. They returned to the United States and lived in Minnesota, New York, New Jersey and Illinois. They had 3 children, Michael, Moira and Monica. During this time Brenda was very homesick for her family in Brazil. Luckily Eldridge took a job with Caterpillar Tractor Co. in 1955 and was transferred to Brazil in 1957 which made Brenda very happy. They had their fourth child, Cynthia, there. The family eventually returned to the United States and settled in Basking Ridge in 1968. Brenda returned to work in 1971. She worked for the law offices of Palmer, Heany & Gaus for almost 15 years. She was also a communicante at St. Mark’s Church in Basking Ridge. She belonged to the altar guild and also taught Sunday School. Her four children graduated from Ridge High School as did her ten grandchildren. Brenda and Eldridge loved to travel and in their life times they visited many interesting places including Peru, Mexico, Ireland, England, Canada, Portugal, France, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and even China. Eldridge died in 1993 and it was his fondest wish that Brenda become an American citizen. She followed through and became an American citizen in 1995. She was a staunch Republican and followed the news avidly. Brenda is survived by her children, Michael, Moira (husband Philip Heinold), Monica (husband Robert DeCoste) and Cynthia (husband Carl Chase) all of Basking Ridge. Also her grandchildren, Melissa and Kurt Heinold (wife Dana),Christina (husband Charles) Allison, Joshua and Justin DeCoste (wife Meaghan), Christopher Mandeen (wife Shannon), Erik Mandeen ( wife Ashley), Alexander Chase (wife Sunny), Zachary and Matthew Chase. Great-granddaughters Nora and Freya Mandeen. Services have been entrusted to Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home in Basking Ridge. Viewing will be December 15th between 4-6 pm. A private memorial service will be held at St. Mark’s Church in Basking Ridge on December 18th at 11:00 with internment in the Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations be made to St. Mark’s Church Memorial Garden.