Obituaries

Joseph Edward Sraeel, Jr., 87, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026.

Born in Asbury Park, NJ, on October 14, 1938, Joe was a lifelong resident of the Jersey shore, happily residing in Fair Haven, Middletown, Manasquan and, finally, Red Bank. Joseph attended Mt. Carmel elementary school in Asbury Park, St. Rose high school in Belmar where he was class president, and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. (He was the first in his immigrant Lebanese family to attend university.)

With deep sadness we announce the death of Robert Congell on January 17th, 2026 at the age of 78.

Bob was born in Hazelton, Pennsylvania on November 5th, 1947 and moved with his family to Atlantic Highlands, NJ when he was 6 months old. 

He attended St. Agnes Grammar School and Henry Hudson Regional High School both in Atlantic Highlands NJ. Bob proudly served in the United States Navy from 1969 to 1971 on the USS Independence out of Norfolk, VA, and was stationed in the Persian Gulf. Always the rebel Bob chose the Navy even though his father, mother, and brother were all Army Veterans. 

Maureen G. Enander (best mom ever!), 93, of Little Silver, NJ, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Friday, January 2, 2026. Born and raised in Plainfield, NJ, she was the daughter of Homer and Mae Gilbert, big sister to Wally and her cousin Lorraine, and little sister to her cousin Bud. She was a graduate of Holy Trinity High School in Plainfield and the Katharine Gibbs School. She was a resident of Little Silver since 1961.  

Maureen devoted her early years in Little Silver to raising her young family. Once her children were in college and high school, she worked in the principal's office at Markham Place Elementary School before spending 20+ years as a social studies/history department aide at Red Bank Regional High School. She was a familiar face as a volunteer at the Our Lady Star of the Sea food pantry/clothing room in Long Branch for many years. Maureen cherished summers at the beach, her deep Catholic faith, trips to Atlantic City and Las Vegas, reading, and above all else, time spent with family. Annual family gatherings on Long Beach Island allowed her to enjoy all of these passions (except Vegas) at the same time. These trips were the highlight of the year for her and everyone there. Planning and excitement for next year’s trip always started before the current one was over.

Jennifer Beardsley peacefully passed away on January 11, 2026, in Red Bank, New Jersey, surrounded by her four children. 

Jennifer will always be remembered for her kindness, beautiful smile, deep love of family, faith in God, and the way she faced life without complaint, always grateful for its beauty. It was rare for Jennifer to be without a smile, and she had a contagious laugh. Once she started laughing, everyone around her would be laughing, crying, and unable to stop. When her husband, Jimmy, tried to get her to settle down, it only made her laugh more.

Mary Helen Mutch Todt, daughter of Helen Lois (Brevoort) and William Warren Mutch, was born in Red Bank, NJ at Riverview Hospital when it was a house with 32 beds on the Navesink River.  Beloved wife of William E. Todt, she filled their lives with joy, optimism, enthusiasm, energy and love.  She passed away on January 13, 2026. 

Teaching English and French 31 years at Red Bank High and Red Bank Regional Schools followed Mary’s positions in Oakland, CA, at the American Air Force base in Chaumont, France, and Punahou School, Honolulu.  She was nominated NJ Teacher of the Year 1978.

The daughter of a college physics professor, Mary grew up in five different college towns from Fargo, ND, to Crawfordsville, IN, graduating from CHS.  She returned “home” eagerly for 74 years to a family cottage between Lake Michigan and Crystal Lake, on the grounds of the Congregational Summer Assembly, Pilgrim, MI.  Mary’s participation in many CSA activities engendered a lifelong love for swimming, theater, choral music, the great outdoors. She was active in creating the CSA Education Fund and supported regional conservancy programs.

Ronald Vilardi Sr., 85, of Rumson, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2026. He was born to the late Johanna Rich and John Vilardi. He was predeceased by his parents, his stepfather, Frank Rich, and his brother, John W. Vilardi.

Ron enjoyed a long and dedicated career, working for many years at the Lipton Tea Company before continuing his professional life at GFI Finance in New York City.

A proud Life Member of the Oceanic Hook & Ladder Fire Company of Rumson, Ron served as President and cherished the camaraderie, friendships, and sense of service that came with being part of the organization.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Joan (Casey) Vilardi, with whom he shared a lifetime of love and devotion. Ron was a devoted father to his three children: Michael Vilardi of North Carolina, Ronald Vilardi Jr. and his wife, Laurette, of Little Silver and Beth Vilardi of North Carolina.

Barbara Ann Young, 92, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on January 12^th.  She was born in Buffalo, NY.  Her childhood homes included Buffalo – Kankakee, Illinois – and Pittsburgh, PA.  She attended St Lawrence University, graduating with a B.A.  There she met Jay Perkins, married and had 4 children – Tom, Bill, James, and John, eventually moving to NJ.  She divorced and Married John Young in 1967.  She had a fifth child, David, and enjoyed a wonderful marriage for 42 years until widowed in 2009.  She and John enjoyed traveling the world, sailing as members of Shrewsbury Sailing and Yacht club, golfing, paddle tennis, figure skating, but spending time with her family and friends was her greatest joy in life. She and John were members of the Sea Bright Beach Club for 50 years.  In her twilight, she spent 12 years volunteering at the RMC emergency room, where she made many new friendships.  Barbara had the perfect blend of kindness and discipline and was a remarkable mother.  She embodied grace, dignity, courage, and strength in a way that made her a perfect role model.  These qualities afforded her many close friendships that lasted for decades.  Barbara will be missed by many, especially those of us who were lucky enough to be her family.

Margaret Ann (Peggy, Boots) Lancton (nee Lindberg) was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada to Dorothy and Malcolm Lindberg. She passed away peacefully on Saturday, 1/10/2026, at her home in Fair Haven, NJ. At about the age of 9 she and her family moved to the upper west side of Manhattan, where she was raised as an only child. Peggy often roller skated all over Manhattan, especially through Central Park where she would visit her mom who worked as a nurse at Mt. Sinai Hospital. She attended Julia Richman High School, a very large all-girls school on E 67th Street in NYC and graduated in June1948.

She was selected to be a member of the All City Chorus. While Peggy attended high school she tried out and was chosen as a dance teacher at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Manhattan and volunteered as a counselor at The Lighthouse for the Blind. She attended Upsala College in East Orange, NJ, where she met her future husband, Walter, who she married in 1951. They moved to Fair Haven, NJ, in 1953 where she was a President/member of the FH PTA and the Jr. League.

Nancy Wright Gilbertson passed away on January 2, 2026, following a brief but valiant battle with cancer. She was 78.

Born in Mount Holly, New Jersey, she was the daughter of Harry and Eleanor Wright and grew up in Upper Freehold Township, NJ. Nancy earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Trenton State College and later received a Master’s degree in Education from Rider College. She taught for several years at New Egypt Elementary School.