Melba B. Conover

CONOVER, Irene Melba (nee Burch), 101, a longtime resident of Hillsdale, NJ passed away on Thursday, September 7th, 2017 at home in Hillsdale. She was born in Jersey City to her parents Irene Riviere and Frank Burch December 21, 1915. The family moved to Westwood in 1926 where she attended and graduated from St. Andrew’s Grammar School and Westwood High School, class of 1933. Melba excelled academically and participated in several activities and clubs, was Junior Class president and Editor-in-Chief of the Cardinal yearbook. Following graduation she was employed in the banking industry in NYC and NJ. She was employed by the County Trust Co. until her retirement. She is predeceased by her loving husband of 75 years, Robert F. Conover. Melba was a longtime parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church and a member of the Woman’s Club, Fifty Plus Club, Pascack Historical Society and the Train Collectors Association. She was an involved parent with her children’s education, scouts, sporting and school activities and was instrumental in establishing the Adult Education School at Pascack Valley in the 1960’s. Melba is survived by her devoted children Bunny (Lorraine) Giordano (Frank), Robert Conover, Jr. (Debbie), Patricia Sacco (Santo) and Aileen Williams (Rhys) and Judy Conover. Loving “Gram” to Jennifer, Michael, Amy, Daniel, Robbie, Stephanie, Steven, Donna, Matthew, Danielle, Kristen, Megan and Lindsay and “Great Gram” to 16 great grandchildren. Melba was lovingly cared for at home by her caregivers, Teresa, Olga, Marie, Oksana and Ivana and a special thank you to Life Source Hospice Services. The family will receive guests at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Rd, Westwood, NJ on Monday, September 11th from 3-7PM. A Mass celebrating Melba's life and faith will be held at St. John the Baptist R.C. Church in Hillsdale, NJ at 10AM, with interment at Ascension Cemetery in Airmont, NY to follow. Memorial contributions can be made in Melba's name to the Hillsdale Ambulance Service, 380 Hillsdale Ave, Hillsdale, NJ, 07642 or St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.