Elaine F. VanderWeit

Elaine F. VanderWeit (nee Grant), 77, of Park Ridge, NJ peacefully passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026 surrounded by her loving family. Elaine is preceded in death by her parents, Edward T. Grant and Amy K. Grant, and her sister, Karen M. Pilvelis. Elaine is survived by her loving husband of 56 years Mark VanderWeit, who will forever remember her as his special angel; her son, Peter VanderWeit and his wife Jennifer and their sons Kyle and Gavin; her son, Carlton VanderWeit and his wife Carrie; her daughter, Debra Dalton and her husband Michael and their daughter Julia.

Elaine was born in Schenectady, NY and grew up in Westwood, NJ where she graduated from Westwood High School. She attended Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey) for two years and did some student teaching there. After she got married, she transferred to the University of Colorado where she did most of her student teaching and received a B.S. in Elementary Education. She went on to acquire a pre-school teaching certificate from Auburn College. After living in Colorado and Alabama, she returned to NJ where she resided in Park Ridge for the past 47 years. Elaine’s last stage of her education was receiving her M.S. in Administration from Caldwell College.

Elaine wanted to be a teacher since she was a little girl, and her successful teaching career spanned over 30 years. She was an active and dedicated, lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church and enjoyed participating in Homebound Ministry where she developed significant friendships with those she visited, and made lasting memories with their families.

She loved her special visits with her grandsons and was overjoyed to recently welcome her granddaughter into her life. Elaine was so thankful to God for blessing her with her loving and devoted husband, three wonderful children and their spouses, and her three beautiful grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 10 from 4-7PM at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ Becker-Funeralhome.com with a service on Wednesday, February 11 at 10:30AM and Interment to follow in George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Homebound Ministry, Zion Lutheran Church, 155 Second Avenue, Westwood, NJ 07675.