Obituary of Eleonora Tomala

Eleonora Tomala passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family in the comfort of her home on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. She was 91 years young.

Born to the late Michael and Eleonora Wierzbicki, she was raised in Dvinsk, Latvia, and survived occupations by both German and Russian forces during WWII which included forced labor.  After the war her family elected to move to America and Eleonora made that possible by sailing alone to get work there. 

Eleonora was a strong believer in making sure her life had purpose. She found that purpose by caring for her family and friends and through her work at St. Clare’s hospital. She always put everyone’s needs before her own.

A devout Catholic, she was a member of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Denville. Eleonora enjoyed life especially nature, flowers, hummingbirds and her home on the Rockaway River. She had a kind soul and giant heart filled with love and compassion that will remain with us for an eternity.

Predeceased by her sister, Eugenia Massan, left to keep her legacy alive are her beloved children, Christopher John Tomala of Denville, Monica Theresa Vanderhoof and her husband Bruce of Galway, NY, Yolanda Maria Doganay and her husband Ziya of Wharton, Renata Victoria Marek of Denville, and her niece Susan Gale Wierzbicki of PA; her cherished grandchildren, Nicholas Marek, Taner Doganay, Tori Marek, Sami Doganay, and Ela Doganay; her caring brother, Michael Wierzbicki; her loving nephew and nieces, Jackie and Wanda Massan of NY and Helena Massan of Maine; and many other extended family and friends.

Public visitation will take place on Friday, June 9th from 10:30 – 12:30 pm at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Ave., Denville. Mass of Christian Burial will take place following the visitation at 1 pm at St. Mary’s RC Church, 15 Myers Ave., Denville. Cremation will be private. Memorial Donations can be made in her memory to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation by way of www.inmemoryof-memorial.org. Please leave a condolence and special memory for her family.