Mrs. Loretta M. Reilly

Loretta M. Reilly, 84, of Cranford, passed away on Tuesday, May 17th, at her daughter's house in Lopatcong, NJ. Born and raised in Bayonne, NJ she received her Bachelor's Degree from Fordham University. She married Frank J. Reilly in 1955 and they started their life together in Bayonne. After moving to Cranford in 1962 she held several jobs in town including teacher at St Michaels School and Copy Editor at the Cranford Chronicle. But most Cranford residents know her from the Cranford Library where worked as a librarian for over twenty years up until November of last year. She had a passion for gardening and was an active member of the Four Seasons Garden Club of Cranford for many years. She loved animals, especially all of her 'grandpets'. She was also a very active member of St Michael's church in Cranford. Loretta and Frank had a love of the arts and travel, and over the years travelled to Europe, Greece, Egypt, Japan and China as well as throughout the US. Frank Reilly passed away in 2002 at the age of 71. Loretta is survived by daughter and son-in-law Lisa & Don Cowell of Lopatcong, daughter Karen Reilly of Ewing, and son and daughter-in-law, Mark & Maria Reilly of Cranford. She also leaves behind 5 cherished grandchildren. Visitation and life celebration will be on Thursday from 7-9 pm and Friday from 2-4, 7-9 pm at the Gray Memorial Funeral Home, 12 Springfield Avenue in Cranford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am Saturday at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church on Alden Street in Cranford. You may go to grayfuneralhomes.com for on line condolences. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Cranford Family Care, Saint Joseph Social Service Center of Elizabeth or your favorite animal rescue group.