Michael P. Brennan, 74, of Monmouth Beach, NJ, passed away on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at Riverview Hospital after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.
Michael grew up in South Orange and Freehold. He was a graduate of Our Lady of Sorrows School, Red Bank Catholic High School, and Rutgers University and proudly served in the United States Army.
Michele Elizabeth Odenweller Wingerter, age 67, of Highlands, NJ, passed away unexpectedly on October 4, 2026.
Michele was born on November 20, 1958, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Elizabeth and Richard Odenweller. She was raised in Reading, Pennsylvania then moved to New York City, graduating from LIM College. Michele spent many years in the fashion industry, primarily at Brooks Brothers before transitioning to real estate. She lived in Fair Haven for over 20 years, keeping an eye on the town from her desk overlooking River Road.
Christopher S. Cerra, 69, of Highlands, New Jersey, passed away on September 28, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Christopher was born on July 28, 1957, in Turin, Italy. Following his adoption, he came to the United States and grew up in Sharon, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in finance. Christopher’s last role was as a project manager with UBS in Weehawken, New Jersey. He retired in 2021 and enjoyed several well-deserved years of retirement, spending his time pursuing the many interests and adventures he loved.
Ellen Greenberg of West Long Branch, NJ, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2026 at the age of 90.
Ellen was born Ellen Joan Pevzner, in New York City on May 28, 1936 to the late Fay and Sam Pevzner. Ellen attended area NYC public schools and then the High School of Commerce, where she was an honor student. Following high school, Ellen worked as a secretary while attending City College of New York full time. She received her Masters from Columbia University. Ever the adventurer, at age 17, she and a friend bicycled around Europe. The travel bug took Ellen to many parts of the world during her long life, including England, Ireland, France, Italy, Israel, Jordan, China, and the Bahamas.
Helen Martin Bryan, 93, of Little Silver, NJ, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 28, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. In her final days, she shared with them that she had lived a great life and had no regrets. Those words were a last gift, and a true reflection of the grace, gratitude, and spirit with which she lived.
Helen was predeceased by her parents, H. Bradley Martin (1988) and Katherine Tod Pleydell-Bouverie (1977); her beloved husband, Marsh A. Bryan (2018); and her dear sister, Anne Martin Johnston (1983). She is survived by her four children: Muffie Gur, Michael Bryan, Sr., Linda Brenske, and Bomber Bryan. Also survived by her half-sister Alice M. Takack, and half-brother H. Bradley Martin. She also leaves 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild, who always made her smile.
Sigrid Yaud McKinney, 86, passed away peacefully on September 27th in the comfort of her home in Little Silver, New Jersey. Sigrid was born in Salzburg, Austria, where she spent her early years.
In the spring of 1958, Sigrid and her mother, Margaret Yaud, emigrated to the United States and began a new life together in the aftermath of the Second World War in New York City. It was there, in 1959, that Sigrid met her late husband, Peter McKinney, on the subway. They were married for 64 years until Peter’s passing in 2024.
Ann Ferguson, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on September 20, 2026. Ann was born on September 1, 1938. She lived a rich and purposeful life defined by curiosity, service, creativity, and devotion to her family.
Ann graduated from Miss Porter’s School in 1956 and Hollins College in 1960, and spent a year studying at the Sorbonne in Paris in 1958. She married Alfred L. Ferguson III in 1960, and together they shared 65 devoted years of marriage.
Alfred Ludlow Ferguson III, a longtime resident of Rumson and Fair Haven, New Jersey, passed away on August 17, 2026, in Neptune, New Jersey. He was born in New York, New York, on October 9, 1936.
Mr. Ferguson graduated from The Hotchkiss School in 1954 and Yale University in 1958. He served in the United States Navy as a lieutenant commander from 1958 to 1960 and later graduated from Yale Law School. He went on to practice law and retired in 2006 as a senior partner at McCarter & English LLP.
Eilish Josephine Reilly (née Noone), 68, of Rumson, New Jersey, passed away on September 23, 2026.
Born in Shankill, Dublin, Ireland, to Tom and Kay Noone, Eilish grew up at Eaton Brae with her six brothers and three sisters.
Eilish devoted more than four decades to nursing and midwifery, guided by her passion for caring for others. She trained at Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital in Dublin and studied midwifery at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Her career took her to hospitals in Ireland, Scotland, and the United States, including Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey, where she served as Assistant Clinical Director of Labor and Delivery and later as Assistant Clinical Director of Postpartum until her retirement in 2023.
Patricia Kurdyla, 86, a longtime resident of Shrewsbury, Oceanport, and most recently of Middletown, NJ, passed away September 1, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Plainfield, NJ on August 31, 1940, to the late Janice and Phillip Keiper.
Patti, as she was known to everyone, is survived by her husband of 59 years, Ted; her daughter Amy and son-in-law Jonathan Uroskie of Beverly, MA; her son Phillip and daughter-in-law Mary Alice Kurdyla of Shrewsbury, NJ; her sister Joyce Clark; her brother Doug Keiper and his wife Ida Keiper; and her brother-in-law Gary Kurdyla and his wife Linda. Patti was the proud and loving grandmother of seven grandchildren, Amanda, Kathryn, Thomas, Margot, Teddy, Phillip, and Michael, and cherished her nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews as well.
James “Jim” Clayton, 79, a proud lifelong resident of Red Bank, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2026 surrounded by his loving family.
Jim shared 53 years of marriage with his wife, Ellen. They built a life together with their daughters, Jennifer Belcuore and Kristine Clayton-Kuhlthau, and their husbands, Chris Belcuore and Warren Kuhlthau. Jim is also survived by his three brothers, George, Billy, and Robert. He treasured his special relationship with his niece and nephew, Susan Frankino and Brud Pomphrey. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Florence Clayton (Sagurton), and his siblings, Harry, Georgiana, Marie, and Nancy. The family would also like to thank Jim’s caregiver, Tina, for the care, kindness, and compassion she showed him each day.
