Honey Wolpert Friedel

Honey Friedel, 101 years old, of River Vale, NJ, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2026. Honey was born on February 17, 1925 in Union City, NJ. Honey is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Bertha Wolpert; her husband, Harold; and siblings, Harry Wolpert and Ida Myslik. Honey will be greatly missed by her family — daughters, Ellen Friedel, Karen Bennett and Lauren Degen (Wayne) and grandsons Tyler Bennett (Annemarie) and Ryan Bennett — a small, close knit family devoted to her.

Honey had a gift for friendship. For over sixty years she stayed close with her many high school friends. This closeness continued with all of those she met throughout her life — playing cards with neighbors, monthly trips to Atlantic City and Yonkers Raceway, 37 years of golden age groups, etc. Those who knew Honey will remember her as loving, caring and outgoing. She was a remarkable seamstress … making so many of her daughter’s matching dresses, putting up hems for her friends and constantly mending her son-in- law’s work pants!

Honey grew up in Union City, NJ and lived her adult life with four years in Long Island, and 69 years in River Vale. After graduating from Union Hill High School she worked in Manhattan at Bell Labs before marrying and moving to Bridgehampton, Long Island, followed by the 1957 move to River Vale. This is where she began six years of being an Avon Lady. When her daughter Karen would not go to school without her, Avon went by the wayside so she could start a job working in Woodside School’s cafeteria!

Many years later Honey's grandsons started school … and guess who immediately started a 12 year run volunteering at River Vale’s Roberge School? All totaled, Honey worked and volunteered in the RV school system for 22+ years.

In 1947 Honey and 3 school friends drove cross country, returning home to NJ 3 weeks later. This started her traveling adventures … visiting over 25 states, including Alaska and a few trips to Hawaii — one with her brother to attend his 50 year Pearl Harbor Survivor Convention — and several countries in Europe. She flew on a Pan Am 747, during its inaugural year, for a month-long trip to Switzerland, France and England.

Seeing a Broadway show and Frank Sinatra concerts were always something she loved. She attended hundreds over her lifetime.

Honey lived an amazing life. Her daughters and grandsons cannot imagine life without her.

Services remembering and honoring the life of Honey will be held on Saturday, March 28th at 11:30 AM at St. John Lutheran Church, 3511 Palisade Ave, Union City — the church she attended for over 90 years!