Celebrating the Life of
Elaine Walsh
January 11, 1956 — May 16, 2023
Obituary
Elaine Theresa Walsh of Monroe, New Jersey, entered into Eternal Life on Tuesday May 16 at the age of 67. She was a proud New Jersey native, a dedicated nurse, and loving mother and grandmother.
She is survived by her husband, Thomas; her two sons, Matthew and his wife, Emily, and Daniel; her grandson, Theodore; and her brothers Ray and his wife Marianne, Walt and his wife Helle, and sister-in-law, Tish. She was predeceased by her older brother, Vince.
The daughter of the late Theresa and Walter DePalma, Elaine spent her adolescence in West Paterson, Fairfield and Somers Point. Following high school, she graduated from Montclair State College with a degree in biology and worked for a time at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Elaine desired to be a healer, and so studied to become a nurse, graduating from Atlantic Community College as an RN and Felician University as an LPN. As a nurse, nurse practitioner, and case manager, she served in numerous hospitals, clinics and hospices in New Jersey and New York for 40 years. Ever committed to her vocation, the pandemic and demands on the healthcare system found her shifting to telehealth helping hundreds of patients quickly get the care they needed.
Elaine and Tom met at Berakah Catholic Singles Group in 1984 and were married soon after. They spent the better part of 26 years in Montclair raising their sons. Elaine and Tom were devoted and active members of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, as well as avid (and quite nimble!) dancers at the Arthur Murray Dance School. As forever lifelong learners and lovers of the arts, they were members of the New Jersey Symphony, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and American Museum of Natural History. Elaine and Tom traveled as often as they could, most recently to Germany for the Oberammergau Passion Play. In 2019, they moved to Freehold and then Monroe where they resided until her death.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 22 (Tom and Elaine’s wedding anniversary) at Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine in Freehold. A Celebration of Life and Gathering will take place at their home on Saturday June 24. Burial will be at a later time.
Services
Reception
Saturday, June 24, 2023, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Eastern Time
Tom and Elaine's Home
Please join for an open-house Celebration of Life and Gathering
Funeral Service (In-Person)
Thursday, June 22, 2023, 10:30 am - 11:30 am Eastern Time
Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Rd, Freehold Township, NJ 07728
Memories and Condolences
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🙏er: “May our Heavenly Father grant you, your family and Elaine’s family sufficient grace, comfort, encouragement, and peace as you endure this time of grief and sorrow. In Jesus Name. Amen” While we rejoice that Elaine is now with Jesus, we, who are left behind will be filled with grief & sorrow. Elaine & I were high school best friends. Countless days at the beach and the dinner table chatting and eating with other DePalma family members. At college we went our separate routes but stayed in touch. Sponsored me as I joined the Roman Catholic church in order to marry in the Roman Catholic church. She hosted a bridal shower and stood as maid of honor at my wedding. Separate career paths, hers in nursing, mine in retail and then accounting / tax. Remember visiting you both in Montclair when your sons were babies and intermittently as they grew into young men. Long time friends ( 1970) who could easily catch up. In 2000, when I needed to go to Phila to Jefferson Hospital for sinus surgery, she told me to be the “squeeky wheel” in order to get the referrals & insurance authorizations to be able to get medical help “out of network” in Phila. During Covid ( 2020 ) she came to my rescue again when she gave me advice in getting a gastroenterologist involved for a friend of mine who was not getting the complete medical attention she deserved. Even now I tell folks who are having medical issues as we age this piece of advice she gave me a long time ago. The advice was to think of our bodies as chemistry chests. Everything we ingest into our body, our body has a reaction to. Food and drugs alike. Like you, I will miss her dearly but will rejoice that she is with Jesus and am looking forward to reuniting with her in the glorious presence of Jesus after I too have crossed the river into eternity. These Bible verses came to mind as I write this: “The Lord bless you & keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers: 24-26. May God Bless you and your family during this time if grief & sorrow. Sending a personal note as well. 🙏☝️❤️
We are so sad to hear of Elaine's passing. Sending good thoughts and prayers to the family.
To the Walsh family, I’m so very, very sad to hear this news about Elaine’s passing. She was always a delight when I saw her in town. Please know I have fond memories of her and your family always. Be well. God Bless all of you. Your neighbor, Lydia Bishop
When one we love most dearly is called away, we are left behind to uphold and perpetuate all the good that they reflected in life. To hold their eternal spirit within ourselves and continue to personify all that was positive in their life. Sincere condolences to Tom, Elaine’s family, friends and associates.
I am so sorry to hear about this loss. It seems only yesterday I know them at Berakah. May she rest in peace
So sorry for your loss..Elaine was a very special person…
Tom, We are all saddened from you loss of Elaine. We love you Tom
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