Obituary of Janet Eleanor Bricker

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Janet Bricker, a lifelong resident of Denville who lived to the milestone age of 100 years old. Mrs. Bricker was a caring, passionate, and intelligent woman and will be deeply missed.

            Janet was born to Leonard and Frances Cobb in Dover, NJ and returned home to the family's farmhouse on Franklin Road in January of 1923. She was raised there and assisted her 3 sisters and 1 brother with the chores on the farm. In the year 1944, Janet and 2 of her sisters felt the calling to join the United States military to aid our country in World War II. Janet worked as an Army chaplain’s assistant from the years 1944 to 1946. Her service and dedication to her country is an inspiration and will never be forgotten. While serving at Fort Monmouth, Janet met her husband, Leonard Bricker, and the pair were married in September 1944. Together, they brought 3 wonderful sons into the world.

            When she returned home to Denville, her sons were ages 4, 11, and 12. Unfortunately, not soon after her return, Leonard passed away, leaving the care of the children to Janet. This forged Janet into a strong, hardworking, and dedicated mother. While her sons were growing up, she earned her nursing degree and license. Her nursing background and loving nature lead her to become the caregiver for her uncle and father at home on the farm. In addition to continuing her work as a nurse, Janet excelled at her hobbies. She took a trip to Maine where she learned the art of rug braiding. She began gathering supplies from the Salvation Army and created beautiful pieces of décor with the skills she had gained and blessed everyone in her life with a homemade rug. Janet was also a talented piano player and enjoyed playing her grand piano. Attending church was a staple in Janet’s life, and she had been attending Union Hill Presbyterian Church since childhood, where she also served as the church organist and member of the music ministry. Another thing that she gained from her childhood was a love for animals. Her work on the family farm fueled her care for all animals, but especially the pet dogs and cats she kept over the years. Janet and her family took much pride in the farm they kept, and also in the fact that they kept it in the family for over 100 years.

            Though Janet’s passing brings us sorrow, we take comfort in knowing that she is reunited in Heaven with those who passed before her; her husband, Leonard Bricker, her sons, Jerry Nelson Bricker, Paul Ross Bricker and his wife Karen, Marc Allen Bricker, and her siblings, Carolyn Headley, Virginia Sullivan, Harriet Thead and Douglas Cobb. We look now to the people who will mourn her loss and continue to keep her memory alive. Those who survive Janet include; her Daughters-in-law, Kimberly Bricker and Mary Ellen Bricker, her grandchildren, Karen Bricker, Eric Bricker, Stacey Massey (Jason), Jesse Marcus Merriett (Nicole), Rachel Amiano (Nicholas), Abigail Benjamin (Ross), Grace Gossett (Hunter), Molly Bricker, Brian Bricker, Benjamin Bricker (Pauline), and her great-grandchildren, Johnathan (Lex), Aaron, Janelle, Benjamin, Eli, Charlotte, Luke, Louisa, Austin, August, Madeline, and Moses, as well as great-great-granddaughter, Luna and a wealth of cousins, nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends. Please keep Mrs. Bricker’s family in your thoughts and prayers during this time.

            Memorial Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 25^th from 3 to 7 PM at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville. Funeral Service will be held on Friday, May 26^th at 10 AM at Union Hill Presbyterian Church, 427 Franklin Road, Denville, New Jersey, 07834. Memorial Donations are being accepted in her memory to Union Hill Presbyterian or Doctors Without Borders by way of www.inmemof.org to ensure receipt of your donation.