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Michael Myhal posted a condolence
Mrs Todt was, in my opinion, the quintessential, consummate teacher. She was one part Instructor, two parts Cheerleader, another part Advocate, a measure of Disciplinarian, with just the exact right of Friend mixed into the recipe. I was one of the children who thought and marched to a different drummer; I didn't just color outside the lines, I lived outside them. She was one of my "safe places"; she always, always made me feel special and implanted in me the belief that I could do anything I set my mind to, and that I was a unique creation to be celebrated, not suffocated. She made me feel that I was her absolute favorite, and now that I am older I realize that her true gift was that she probably made all her students feel they were "her favorite". She is one of those rare people who have left a mark upon my heart that I will go to my own grave with.
I am so very sorry for your loss.
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Amy Reusch posted a condolence
What a sweet lady Mrs. Todt was. I remember her presence in the classroom as if it were only a few weeks ago, not some 4 decades since I sat listening! How we tried her patience and how amazing that she did not lose it. I think she opened my mind to the humanities and woke up the intellectual in all of us. Thank you for what you gave us!
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Steve Fricke posted a condolence
Her warmth was catching and her smile was infectious. She had a way with words and always had something positive and interesting to say. I know she made a profound difference in my early life. I don't live in BR anymore but I will do everything in my power to try and be there for her family/friends in June to attend her service. R.I.P Mrs. Todt. Thank You for being there and being part of our lifes.
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Barbara Retzko posted a condolence
A role model and mentor...an exceptional example of excellence in education. The world has lost one of the very best..
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Paul and Jean Wittig posted a condolence
Elly taught English to our eldest daughter, Lynda Wittig Dawson, who graduated from Ridge High in 1993. Lynda's path took her down the road to be the lead singer/songwriter for the Kickin Grass Bluegrass Band based in Raleigh, NC. Elly was an avid supporter of the band, attending concerts they performed here in Basking Ridge while on their east coast tours. Thank you Elly for your influence on Lynda. We will always remember your presence, warmth, generosity and and enthusiasm when Lynda and the band returned to play for the hometown!
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Jodi Indiveri Pharis posted a condolence
Out of all my teachers in Basking Ridge Mrs. Todt was my favorite. I remember one day it was snowing really hard. We were all so excited, we were thinking we were getting out early, excited to be outside, etc. We were not in the mood for "learning anything". We were loud and rambunctious. She made us turn our desks towards the windows and said "take out a piece of paper and start writing". We were like "write about what?". She hushed us all up and said "just write." "It's your paper, put what you want on it." It's was such a freeing moment for all of us. Write about anything. The whole class wrote, watched the snow fall, wrote some more. Nobody said anything. She just sat there and watched us smiling. There was such peace with the quiet room and the quiet snow. It was a special moment for me. Ill never forget her. Best teacher. Taught me so much. I think of her often. RIP. ❤ I hope she meets Shakespeare, he will love her!!!
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george and carolyn posted a condolence
ellie was a special friend to george and i she was so exciting to know she went on serval trips and she enjoy life she was very thoughful person whom we loved very much rest in peace.
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Ann Hunt posted a condolence
My thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Todt's family and friends. I remember having her as a teacher when I was at Annin. Thank you for caring about your students.
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David Chowansky posted a condolence
Had Mrs Todt 2 years at Annin when it first opened in the 70's. Out of all the days in the entire school year, she probably gave me detention half of them and would drive me home afterwards. Few years ago, my wife met up with Mrs Todt at the voting station in Liberty Corner where she was a volunteer. When Mrs Todt saw the name her first response was "where's David?". Words cannot express my admiration and appreciation for Mrs Todt as a mentor and a friend. If she were to be given a championship belt with a star for every life she touched and inspired, it would surround the planet. Mrs Todt you were a roll model, second to none, and will be deeply missed...
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Elizabeth (Liz) Hoare Cowles posted a condolence
Mrs. Todt captured our imaginations and our hearts. I moved to Basking Ridge in the middle of a school year. She help assimilate me into the William Annin culture by making me feel special. She made English literature come alive and taught us the power of words. Her legacy lives on in her students. She truly was a gifted teacher and mentor.
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Kathy Cohen posted a condolence
My best friend's Mom. Our neighbor and friend. The best teacher in town. Love and hugs to Erica, Lisa and Betsy and especially Bill. From the Ambrozy-Cohen families
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Chris Mead posted a condolence
Elly Todt was one of the most influential educators in my life. My condolences on her passing. I also want to point you to a wonderful tribute for this wonderful lady by her former students. Search for the Facebook group "You know you're from Basking Ridge, NJ if..." As I posted there, I can still recite the 25 lines of Romeo and Juliet Mrs. Todt had me memorize...35 years later!
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Mark Miller posted a condolence
Rest in peace, Mrs. Todt. Thank you for not just teaching us from a book, but teaching us through the way you treated us - with a smile, a twinkle in your eye, and love in your heart.
s/A student who won't forget you.
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Ruth Huntington posted a condolence
I was proud to call Elly my friend. Elly was so caring, involved, devoted to all who knew her. She loved her family and was so very proud of them. She always talked about how wonderful her children and grandchildren were. Bill was the love of her life. Their travels were another great topic of conversation. I will so miss our conversations and the support she gave me for so many years. Ruth
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Sue, Lou and Louis Kuhlmann posted a condolence
Whenever in Mrs. Todts presence she would always greet you with a smile and a hug! She was genuinely interested in how we all were and what we were up to. We will miss that smile but hold very fond memories.
Our deepest sympathy,
The Kuhlmann Family
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Cathy Brennan posted a condolence
Mrs. Todt was one of my favorite teachers, I had her at William Annin and I have thought of her fondly over the years. She was someone I turned to and she gave the best advice. My deepest sympathies to the whole Todt family.
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Betsy Schmitt posted a condolence
Words cannot express the heaviness of grief that my family and I are experiencing, losing first my husband’s mom and then my own mom within the span of a week. We are comforted knowing that our moms were women of strong faith and that they are at peace now with their Lord and God. They each enjoyed full, purposeful lives and they each touch hundreds of others in their own unique ways. Still, for us left behind, it is shockingly sudden and final.
My mom, Elly Todt, was a life-force. She was the matriarch of the family, our anchor, and as my sisters and I affectionately called her, the mothership. Even though my sisters and I left Basking Ridge after college, we never forgot our roots, and whenever we would return home, we would gather around the table, laughing and talking for hours. My mom was strong-willed, and yes, opinionated (just ask her what she thought!), but at the same time, her heart was so big, and she was kind, generous, and caring to those in need. There was not a room that she could walk into and not leave without making a new friend.
As a teacher, she touched the lives of literally hundreds of students. We have been so encouraged and comforted reading the many memories and tributes from her students. She was more than just an English teacher — she was an encourager, a motivator, who passed on her love and passion for literature and language to her students. She was a tough teacher, but fair. Of course,we knew her from the other side of the classroom, spending hours in the evening and on the weekends, correcting papers with her infamous red pen. She wasn’t content just to slap on a grade at the top of the paper. She wrote comments, made corrections, added suggestions — it was a time-consuming process, but she wouldn’t have done it any other way.
As a mom, she molded and shaped us into the women and mothers that we are today. We will always hear her voice telling us remember to say please and thank you; always volunteer to do the job that no one else wants to do; keep your elbows off the table, never talk with your mouth full, and always, always WASH YOUR HANDS! My mom’s rules have served us well! She was always there to listen when we had a problem, to support us when we faced our own disappointments, and to celebrate with us our achievements and successes. I’m sure there were times we let her down, or disappointed her, but she never let on.
As a beloved grandmother to Allison, Bill, Dana, Kevin, and Lucie, she was an inspiration and a steadfast encourager and cheerleader. She shared with them her love of learning, of reading and books, her sense of adventure and visiting new places and trying new things, and the courage to speak up for themselves. Even though they lived hundreds of miles away, she and my dad made countless trips across country for graduations, school plays, piano recitals, marching band performances, even school trips — whatever event was important to our children, it was important to them.
As a wife, well, that will be the hardest. The stories of Bill and Elly, Grammy and PopPop, Pip and Pop, are legendary. They were always together. They traveled the world, visiting all seven continents, but my mom was most happiest getting up and saying, “Willy, let’s take a drive and see so-and-so.” And off they would go. Anyone watching them over their 63 years of marriage would know of the love that they shared. We learned from them that two are better than one and of the need to support each other through the good times and the bad. They truly lived out their marriage vows to one another, and that is their legacy to each of us.
Each prayer offered, each act of kindness extended, each memory shared, and each hug given has comforted us and helped us as we walk through this deep, dark valley. But we are not without hope. For as Jesus told his followers then and today:
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” (John 14:1-3)
Mom, keep our rooms ready and clean! We love you.
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Bill and Gail Bishop posted a condolence
She had to be a wonderful person to raise three successful daughters and a husband for so many years. Remember all the good times as that is what life is about. Memories will not fade but sadness and grief will disappear. She would want it that way.
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Kris McNamara posted a condolence
RIP Mrs. Todt...I will never forget you. Sincerest condolences to all family and friends.
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Linda Ditzel posted a condolence
Elly will be missed by all who knew her. Such a wonderful woman with such a big heart. There are no words to describe what a caring and beautiful person that you are. Betsy, you have brought tears to my eyes as no one could have described your mom better then you have. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family.
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Leslie McMahon Frank posted a condolence
My condolences to all of Mrs. Todt's family. Mrs. Todt was my teacher at William Annin in 1971-2. I remember her wel, and have considered her to be among my best teachers.
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Liz Bagnato posted a condolence
I met Ellie about 12 years ago when we were both volunteers at the Paige Whitnet Babies Center. We hit off right away. I was a young Mom and she was just so great with me, our clients and everyone she came in contact with. I will always remember her fondly and send my deepest condolences to the family.
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Joyce Anthony Huff posted a condolence
I met Elly when I volunteered to work the election (polls) in Liberty Corner. She was terrific. I loved talking to her & sharing. She was opinionated, just like me. I walked into the polls today and was SHOCKED to hear she had passed away. SHOCKED. She was larger than life ....RIP Elly...you were a pissah!