Obituary of Elsie Greene

Elsie Ruth Greene (nee Gomez), 78, of Randolph, New Jersey passed away peacefully on December 21, 2022. Born August 14, 1944, in the Bronx, New York, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband Thomas “Tom” William Greene, her Irish Angel in June 2012.

Elsie earned her secretarial degree and began her career at Olivetti-Underwood in Manhattan. It was there that she met Tom and their lifelong fairytale began. Upon the birth of their children, Thomas Jr. and Wendi, Elsie turned her focus to raising her children. Elsie was involved in the school PTA and supported her children’s activities (including scouting, marching band, and school festivals). Elsie loved to help pull off some fabulous school functions and wonderful parties with friends and neighbors, including many years of legendary New Year’s Eve parties! Her kind heart, generous soul, and infectious laugh were a joy to be around and will be greatly missed. Later, she resumed her career working as a secretary for a private investigator and enjoyed when she got the chance to work undercover a few times and also at County College of Morris.  She held her last assignment with the Regency Grande Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, retiring in December 2021.

On May 8, 1965, Elsie and Tom began their 47-year marriage with a fairytale wedding at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and a reception at Tavern on the Green. They enjoyed raising their children at Shongum Lake in Randolph, NJ, where Elsie and Tom made lifelong friends. She would frequently say to new acquaintances “we’ll only be strangers for 5 minutes” and how true that was. Elsie made friends with everyone she met. She loved the theater both in New York City and at the Papermill Playhouse in Millburn, where she and Tom had season tickets for more than 30 years. Elsie enjoyed shopping for the perfect gift for birthdays and holidays and was frequently commended for her thoughtful purchases. Family, friends, and co-workers were regular recipients of her thoughtful gifts, leaving a lasting impact on all who knew her. No doubt she was welcomed on the other side by her beloved husband and Irish Angel who has been waiting for her for 10 and 1/2 years. Of course, Tom was accustomed to Elsie arriving late, so her tardiness was surely no surprise to him.

Elsie is survived by her beloved children: son Thomas (Amanda) Greene, Jr. of Geneva, Switzerland, and daughter Wendi (Peter) Zimmerman of Randolph, NJ; and four cherished grandchildren: Ryan and Tara Greene, and Samantha and Jack Zimmerman. Her love of family and friends was most important to her life. If you are inclined to remember Elsie, grab a friend and enjoy a piece of tiramisu in her honor. Until we meet again!

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her honor to a charity near and dear to her heart, Homeless Solutions, Inc. 

She volunteered there for 14 years and was a regular event volunteer, but her favorite job was working at their Hospitality Link where she taught Spanish speaking street homeless guests English and helped them with job applications.

https://homelesssolutions.org/how-you-can-help/donate-money/elsie-greene-tribute/

A celebration of Elsie’s life will be held at a future date.  Arrangements by Tuttle Funeral Home, Randolph (Tuttlefh.com)