Elaine Stolarz

Elaine Clara Stolarz (née Benell) passed away on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, at the age of 87 years old in her adopted hometown of Teaneck, New Jersey. Elaine was born in the Bronx on May 30, 1936, to Clara and Joseph Benell. Elaine was one of four children: Joseph, John, and Claire. Her family moved to Teaneck in 1953 during her senior year of high school. It was that same year that Elaine met her soulmate, Richard Stolarz. Elaine and Richard met at a malt shop on Upper Greenwood Lake that summer, where both of their families owned summer bungalows. They were married five years later. They went on to have three daughters, Nancy, Marie and Lisa. In addition to being a devoted mother and wife, Elaine worked at Fairleigh Dickinson University as an administrative professional for 25 years. During that time, Elaine completed her Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts. Elaine and Richard raised their girls on Kipp Street in Teaneck and lived there until they retired. Decades after they first met at the malt shop, they moved back to Upper Greenwood Lake, where their love story first began. Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers and her husband, Richard. She is survived by her three daughters Nancy Merrigan, Marie Stolarz (husband Neal Oliver) and Lisa Stolarz (husband Cameo Rodriguez), her six grandchildren, Desiree Heard, Megan Merrigan, Andrew Merrigan, Blake Oliver, Chloe Rodriguez and Richard Rodriguez, and her great granddaughter Ava Stolarz. Elaine is also survived by her sister Claire Goodlin and many loyal friends, including her best friend of 82 years, Dolly Corsini Carbone. Elaine had a quick wit, a sharp tongue, was loyal and generous beyond comparison and had unending love for those she held close. She will be forever missed. Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral service honoring Elaine’s life at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 1 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 118 Chadwick Rd, Teaneck, NJ 07666. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: https://mealsonwheelsnorthjersey.org/donate/ and/or The Bergen County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center. To make a monetary donation in-memoriam, please mail your check payable to Bergen County to 100 United Lane, Teterboro, NJ 07608 and include the name of the person you wish to be remembered as well as the address where you would like a letter sent. Letters should be sent to Lisa Stolarz, 947 Columbus Drive, Teaneck, NJ 07666

Elaine Stolarz

February 19, 2024