Obituary of Juanita De La Croz Elder

 On the early night of November 12, 2020, our mother, friend, sister and so much more was called to heaven.  Her battle with cancer had finally come to an end.  Surrounded by her daughters, mother, brother, and close family and friends, she went peacefully.  Gloria leaves behind her two daughters, Kristen (Chris), Brittany (Robby), her mother, Mercedes Munoz, her brother Manuel (Gladys) Munoz, three small grandchildren; James, Mercy and Christopher. With much family and friends beside her as she passed away, leaving behind nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters in law, she joined in heaven with her late husband, James Elder and her late son, Daniel Chudley Elder.

Gloria had a great life from growing up in Dover, NJ with her mother and her brother.  After her father passed away suddenly in an accident, she was raised solely by her mother.  Mercedes had come to the United States reluctantly to follow her late husband and raise their family there from Mexico. It was a struggle but Mercedes took on life and raised Gloria and Manuel in America.  After the death of her late husband Mercedes started calling Juanita, Gloria which is what has stuck since she was a child and even to believe it was her own name.  She attended schools in town as well as a graduate of Dover High School.  She was an employee at the New Jersey Natural Gas co. for more than 30 years, before retiring due to her son’s passing in November of 2001.  She made friends everywhere she went, and was the life of the party, so out going, full of love and laughter with that amazing personality.  It wasn’t until years later Gloria ran in to James, hesitantly she accepted a date with him.  It was a whirlwind of love that after years she me the man she was going to spend forever with.  Our family was brought together and they shared an amazing 29 years of marriage until his sudden death in 2018.  Gloria fought a long battle for two years and never once gave up without a fight.  The Tremendous strength and courage she had finally came to an end but in heaven she will keep shining down, she will still guide her daughters and grandchildren into a life of bliss. May she rest in Eternal Peace, She has gone to gain her angel wings, her husband and son.

On the early evening of November 12, 2020, our mother, friend, sister and so much more was called to heaven. Her battle with cancer had finally come to an end. Surrounded by her daughters, mother, brother and close family and friends she went peacefully. Gloria leaves behind her two daughters, Kristen (Chris), Brittany (Robby), her mother, Mercedes Munoz, her brother, Manuel (Gladys) Munoz, three small grandchildren, James, Mercy and Christopher. With much family and friends beside her as she passed away leaving behind nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters in law, she joined in heaven with her late husband, James Elder and her late son, Daniel Chudley-Elder. Juanita was born and raised in Dover, NJ by her mother Mercedes Munoz. She attended local schools and was a graduate of Dover High School. She went on to work for the New Jersey Natural Gas company up to 35 years before retiring due to her son’s untimely death. She was a devoted wife, mother, friend and so much more to many people who came to know her personally or simply by acquaintance. Juanita had a smile and personality that would light up a room and during her battle for the last years she never gave up without a fight! The tremendous strength and courage she had finally came to an end but in heaven she will keep shining down, she will still guide her daughters and grandchildren into a life of a bliss. May she Rest in Eternal Peace. She has now gone to gain her angel wings, her husband and her son.

Visitation will be held at 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. followed by a service at 12:30 on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at  Tuttle Funeral Home 272 Route 10, Randolph (www.tuttlefh.com ). Interment will take place at Locust Hill Cemetery in Dover.

In Lieu of Flowers, The Elder family requests donations to Brittany Wright at 10 Crescent Ridge Road, Boonton, NJ 07005, to assist with funeral expenses.  Gloria’s immediate family wishes to thank the extended Elder family for all their help and support.