Obituary of Evelyn H Bretzger

Evelyn Eagles Bretzger, 108, of Berkeley Heights NJ, died peacefully in her sleep March 1, 2024, with beloved family at her side.

Evelyn was predeceased by her devoted husband, Howard Bretzger, 3 siblings, Russell Eagles, Raymond Eagles, and Joyce Kern, and a beloved son in law, Gene Clifford Trout. She leaves behind two daughters, Elaine Scull, and Jill Trout Conde, sons in law, Kenneth Scull and Camilo Conde. She leaves 6 grandchildren, Rebecca Hosinger, Kimberly DeCristofaro, Abigail Hoffman, Brett Trout, Emily Northrop, and Jennifer Cuillo. Twelve great grand children, Hillary and Heidi Hosinger, Zane and Sabrina Hoffman, Samantha and Daniela Trout, Liam, Luke, and Evelyn Northrop, and Mason, Reese, and Santina Cuillo.

Evelyn was born October 1, 1915, to parents Elwood Clifford and Helen Eagles in Newark, NJ. Evelyn enjoyed wonderful health almost all her 108 years. The essence of her life was love for family, making an always comfortable and welcoming home to all, teaching an appreciation of Gods creation through her gardening, always the class mother, always the home the children and their friends came to, and living by standards and principles of faith and trust in God growing ever stronger as she aged.

She graduated from Irvington High School with honors at an accelerated pace in order to join the work force and help her family provide for 3 younger children during the Depression. Evelyn worked at Prudential Insurance and the Elastic Stop-nut until she married.

Evelyn married Howard on February 21, 1942, cancelling wedding plans for a June wedding, because Howard enlisted in the Marines to serve during WW two, knowing he would be called to duty within a few months. For those first few months, they lived in an apartment in Maplewood, New Jersey. For the next four years of War, Evelyn and Howard were separated most of the time, although Evelyn joined him whenever and wherever she could, and they therefore lived for short times together in Virginia and Texas. Evelyn waited while Howard served his final year serving on Guam and when he returned they started a family. Evelyn and Howard were joyfully married for 62 years until his death in 2004. They lived first in Union, NJ, and then 40 years together in New Providence,NJ. Evelyn lived the last 19 years with daughter Jill and Camilo in Berkeley Heights. She was a joy in their life during those years.

A pleasure to be with because of her sweet, always thoughtful, generous nature, and unending love and support.

Evelyn was the consummate wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and even mother-in-law.

She was loved and treasured by all privileged to be her family. She affected every life in her family positively, and set an example that has helped each one to find more joy and value in their life due to her talents, love, wisdom, and devotion. Some of the greatest joy of her later years was developing her relationship with God and wanting every member of her precious family to also follow that course.