Elba Verdia

Elba Verdia, 88, formerly of North Edison, NJ, passed away peacefully at her residence, The Chelsea at Warren, on Saturday, July 6, 2024. Born in Manhattan, NY, to the late Juana and Narciso Rivera on October 28, 1936. Elba was raised in Manhattan and attended the private, all girls Catholic Marymount School of Tarrytown, New York.

She met her loving husband, Joseph “Peppy”, of the Ironbound neighborhood of Newark, at a dance where they both discovered their love of dance and each other. They married and moved briefly to Linden before settling in Iselin and beginning their family. They eventually moved to North Edison where they resided for over 50 years and raised their 3 beautiful children.

In her early years, she worked for many large corporations, including Esso and Wakefern. Elba began her career in the computer field as a data entry operator and eventually worked her way up to managing a large group of key punch operators for Engelhard Industries, a Fortune 500 company.

Elba was a progressive, strong-willed, and competitive woman, ahead of her time. When it came to her family and loved ones, she was extremely loyal, protective, and caring. She enjoyed playing dominoes, attending bingo, doing puzzles, watching movies, and listening to music. It was not uncommon to find her dancing at home or on the dance floor. In her younger years, she was a staff dance instructor at the Catskills resorts. Elba had a passion for video games and would often stay up all night playing. Her favorite activities included going to the racetrack and playing craps at the casino with her son and his friends. But most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family, whom she was extremely proud of.

Elba is predeceased by her husband Joseph “Peppy” in 2005. She is survived by her children; son Daniel (Burt) Verdia and his wife Stacey of Fair Lawn, daughters Andrea D’Elia of Basking Ridge and Vanessa Deroba and her husband Rich of Bridgewater; and four beloved grandchildren; Owen, Marissa, John, and Chase.

A private family service will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, please keep her memory alive in your thoughts and prayers.

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