Hedwig Martha Lipke, born on November 6th 1938, passed away peacefully at home on September 14th, 2021 at the age of 82. She was surrounded by her loved ones. Hedy was born in Newark, New Jersey to proud German immigrants Otto and Hedwig Broghammer. Hedy spoke fluent German for the first four years of her life. She was raised to value family and heritage, with her parents instilling in her a strong work ethic. Hedy started her career attending a secretarial school in New York City. She worked for the Schering-Plough pharmaceutical company as a secretary, and it was there that she met her beloved husband George. The two of them set to work building a family of their own. Reentering the workforce, Hedy began working for the Borough of Kenilworth as Assistant Borough Clerk. She then pursued further education to become certified as Borough Clerk. In that position, she dutifully and tirelessly served the community for thirty years. During her lifetime, Hedy was an active member of the Harding School PTO as both Room Mother and PTO President. Notably, she placed the first tire at the Harding School Tire Playground. She was also instrumental in the creation and operation of the annual Santa’s Workshop event. Hedy was an avid reader and was especially fond of mystery and romance novels. She was known to finish a book in a single evening. She also loved to garden and bake, with her personalized birthday cakes being especially popular. She ended every evening with a cup of tea. In Hedy’s later years, her dog Georgia was known for keeping her busy and testing her patience. She married the late George Lipke in 1960 and they raised their family together in Kenilworth. Her greatest joy was undoubtedly watching her two grandchildren grow into adulthood. Her final years were spent in tranquility at her lakefront home. Hedy is survived by her two children Susan Ryan and Jonathan Lipke, her son-in-law Daniel A. Ryan, her grandsons Daniel K. Ryan and Matthew Ryan, and her sister Eleonore Donnelly. She was predeceased by her beloved son Kenneth Lipke and her devoted husband George Lipke. Her family will miss her wisdom, compassion, sharp sense of humor, and overwhelming love for those around her. She carried herself with grace and dressed impeccably. With quiet strength, she overcame the death of her firstborn son, survived cancer, and went on to be an inspiration to all that knew her. You will always be the heart and soul of our family, Nanie. May you finally rest in eternal peace with Poppy and Kenny. Visitation will be held at Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home 582 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090 on Monday, September 20th, 2021 from 10 AM to 1 PM. Family members will deliver eulogies and then the burial will follow at Graceland Memorial Park in Kenilworth, NJ. If so desired, donations can be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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