Elizabeth Herkenham Obituary
Elizabeth "Betty" Jeanne Herkenham passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 21, 2022 at Heath Village in Hackettstown, Nj after a long and full-filling 98 years of life.
Betty was born on August 5, 1924 in New York to her loving parents Minerva and Walter Nice. In September of 1947 she married her loving husband, James Herkenham and they welcomed sons together James and Peter Herkenham. She was a city girl and lived a lengthy 60 years in her apartment in Peter Cooper Village before relocating to Hackettstown, Nj to be closer to family.
Betty lived life to the fullest spending years traveling, spending time with family and volunteering to multiple organizations. Throughout her life she had many accomplishments. She served as a civilian employee for the army counter intelligence core during World War lI. She had a long successful career working for what is now Chase Banking group as a Senior Executive Secretary, including Secretary to the Chairman. She then went on to serve as executive secretary to Cardinal John O'Conner for many years, a position she held near and dear to her heart. Betty was selected to be honored by appointment to the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre something she was very honored by. In her later life she dedicated her time to her greatest accomplishment which was her family. She spent endless hours with her grandchildren passing along all her wisdom and life lessons to them. She made sure to attend every musical, graduation and party to be held never missing a moment in their lives.
Betty was predeceased by her parents Minerva and Walter Nice as well as her husband of many years James Herkenham.
She leaves behind 2 sons, 2 daughter in laws, James and Diane Herkenham, Peter and Maryjane Herkenham as well as 7 grandchildren James and wife Linda, Kevin and wife Heather, Peter, Eileen and fiance Michael, Laura, Katie, and Kira Herkenham. She also had the opportunity to welcome 6 great grandchildren that she loved dearly Matthew, Stella, Dagne and Gem Herkenham, James and Kaia Eckenrode.
A viewing will be held at Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ on Tuesday, December 27th from 4-8pm.
Her mass will be held at Our Lady Of the Mountain Church, 2 East Springtown Road, Long Valley, NJ on Wednesday, December 28th at 11am.
The following day on December 29th she will finally be reunited with the love of her life at Gate of Heaven cemetery in Westchester County, New York at 12 pm.
In lieu of flowers we ask for donations to a charity close to her heart The Little Sisters of The Poor, 2999 Schurz Ave. Bronx, NY 10465, [email protected].
