Obituary of Ina E. Wild
Ina E. Wild, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at the age of 92, surrounded by her family at Overlook Hospital in Summit, New Jersey. Born on March 28, 1932, in Newark, New Jersey, to Joseph and Tillie Karetnick, Ina was raised in Hillside, New Jersey, and later lived in South Plainfield for 47 years before moving to Springfield, New Jersey, at her daughter's home, where she continued to cultivate a life filled with love, family, and faith.
After graduating from Hillside High School, Ina continued her education at Douglass Rutgers College, now Douglass Residential College, earning her associate’s degree. Never one to settle, she furthered her studies at the Cittone Institute, mastering computer skills—a testament to her drive and adaptability, even as the world of technology evolved.
Ina married the love of her life, Alvin Wild, on January 6, 1962, and together they built a life rich with love, family, and faith. As a mother, Ina devoted herself to raising their three children and nurturing a warm and supportive home. Once her children were older, she began working as a secretary in the guidance department of the South Plainfield School District, before taking on roles at American Standard as an executive secretary. Her final position before retirement was as a premium accounting clerk for Chubb in Warren, New Jersey, where her attention to detail and work ethic shone.
Ina’s Jewish faith was central to her life, and she was a devoted member of three congregations over the years: Temple Beth El in Plainfield, Congregation Beth Israel in Scotch Plains, and most recently, Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael in Springfield, where she found both spiritual comfort and community. Her faith sustained her through life’s many challenges and joys, and she was proud of her heritage and traditions.
A woman of resilience and determination, Ina was a breast cancer survivor, having been diagnosed in 1995. She was one of the early pioneers in receiving stem cell therapy, bravely facing her diagnosis and emerging victorious. Her courage during this time inspired her family and friends, and her story became a beacon of hope for others facing similar battles.
Ina found joy in life’s simple pleasures and the company of those she loved. She was a lover of Dixieland jazz, attending the Waterloo Village Jazz Festival annually with Alvin, and enjoyed jazz cruises and trips to the New Orleans Jazz Festival. Ina also cherished Mahjong games with friends, needlepoint projects that filled her home with warmth, and afternoons spent devouring murder mysteries. A lover of learning, she stayed proficient in using the internet and her iPhone, never losing her intellectual curiosity. Ina was also an avid fan of television, especially game shows on the Game Show Network, where she relished the challenge of answering trivia questions to test her sharp mind. She had a passion for crime dramas, particularly Perry Mason and other captivating mysteries, which she enjoyed both on-screen and in the books she read. These stories were a constant source of intellectual stimulation and relaxation for Ina.
A devoted mother, Ina was ever-present in her children’s lives, whether it was attending Cub Scout or Girl Scout meetings, music lessons, or sporting events. She was their biggest supporter, always ensuring they knew they were loved. Her nurturing spirit extended to the family’s dogs, who were always by her side, providing loyal companionship throughout the years.
Of all the things that brought Ina joy, her greatest source of pride was her family. She adored her grandchildren, known affectionately as Nana, Grandma, and Bubbie, and delighted in every moment she spent with them, their accomplishments and laughter being the light of her life. Her love for them was boundless, and her legacy will live on in the memories they created together. She also loved the orchid flower, the color purple, and enjoyed watching football. Her favorite teams were the Giants and Penn State.
Ina is predeceased by her loving husband of 44 years, Alvin Wild, who passed away in 2006, and her brother, Jack Karetnick, who passed away earlier in 2024.
She is survived by her three children, Scott Wild and his wife Priscilla Martin, Jodi Neiper and her husband Carl, and Cara M. Harms and her husband Rich; her eight cherished grandchildren, Danny Neiper, Corey Neiper and his wife Nicolette, Carly Neiper, Samuel Wild, Sarah Wild, Caitlyn Harms, Jordan Harms, and Tyler Harms; and one great-grandchild, Nico.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, beginning at 11:30 am, followed by a funeral service commencing at 12:00 p.m. at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, NJ. A graveside service will follow, commencing at 1:30 p.m. at the chapel at Beth Israel Cemetery, 1098 Woodbridge Center Drive, Woodbridge, NJ.
Please use the following link and information here to attend via Zoom for both services:
https://zoom.us/j/99938380312?pwd=QdZ1wklLM872Oq1ufMKZ5KCiMvYz2a.1
Meeting ID: 999 3838 0312
Passcode: 915271
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Cure IBM to support research for Inclusion Body Myositis, a cause that was close to Ina’s heart, as her beloved husband Alvin was affected by the condition. Ina remained committed to supporting efforts toward finding a cure.
Ina will be remembered for her intelligence, resilience, and unshakable love for her family. Her presence was a blessing to all who knew her, and her memory will forever inspire those she leaves behind. May her soul be bound in the bond of life eternal.
