Obituary of Eliza Lopes
Eliza Lopes, age 92, passed away on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at RWJ University Hospital Somerset in Somerville, NJ surrounded by her family.
Mrs. Lopes was born in Valega, Ovar, Portugal. In 1939, on her 9th birthday, she immigrated to Elizabeth, NJ through Ellis Island. Mrs. Lopes resided and was educated in Elizabeth, moved to Clark in 1960, and then to Bridgewater in 1997 till present day.
In 1951 she married the love of her life, Jack Lopes and they built a wonderful life and family together starting in Elizabeth and culminating in Clark.
Mrs. Lopes was a Tax Specialist at Al Correia Agency/Speedway Travel in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Her career transitioned to Payroll Manager for Epicor in Linden, NJ, a chemical manufacturing firm until her retirement.
Mrs. Lopes was an active member of the Portuguese Instructive Social Club in Elizabeth since her school years, with a passion for drama, frequently acting in Portuguese plays. In her adult years she was on the fundraising committee which erected the current Portuguese Instructive Social Club on Route I in Elizabeth.
She was an active parent for Mother Seton Regional High School in Clark, where she received countless accolades for her superb fundraising work.
She was an active communicant and choir member at Saint John the Apostle Church in Clark for over 20 years. She was also an active choir member at St. Bernard’s RC Church in Bridgewater and most recently a member at Blessed Sacrament Church in Martinsville.
Mrs. Lopes had a great talent in the garden, enjoyed dancing, exercising, attending her grandson’s sporting events, following the stock market and cogently debating national politics. She was an active member of the JCC in Bridgewater where she was a member of the aquatic exercise group named “The Mermaids”.
Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her family, especially her grandson, Jack. One of her proudest moments was seeing her grandson graduate from college.
Mrs. Lopes is predeceased by her loving husband, Jack Lopes in 1993 and her dear sister Ester Pacheco in 2011.
She is survived by her two daughters Judy Lopes and Phyllis Lopes (Cary Stanek), her grandson Jack Gokey, her sister Lollie Rodrigues, loving nieces and nephews include Gregg Rodrigues, Mark Rodrigues, Greg Ficarra, John, Carl, and Roberta Perez, Janice Quinlan and their respective families. Eliza had many extended family members that she loved and whose company she greatly enjoyed.
A visitation will be held on Monday, October 24th, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Higgins Home for Funerals 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, New Jersey 07069. A Mass will be held on Tuesday, October 25th, at 10:00 am at Blessed Sacrament Church in Martinsville, NJ. An entombment will follow at St. Gertrude Cemetery in Colonia, NJ.
One of Mrs. Lopes’ favorite activities in her later years was her aquatic exercising and the special friendships she built at the JCC in Bridgewater. For that reason, the family has chosen the JCC in Bridgewater as the charity of choice should that be a preference.
