Eleanor Dilger

Eleanor Cecilia Dilger, wife of the late Robert Francis Dilger, died peacefully on April 9, 2024, at the Family of Caring Center in Ridgewood, NJ

Eleanor was born November 22, 1927, and was the first child of Victor and Agnes Kriss, she was raised in Larchmont, NY. Eleanor attended Mamaroneck High School and received her Bachelor of Science college degree in 1949 at Good Counsel College in White Plains, NY.

Eleanor was united in Holy Matrimony on September 23, 1950, to Robert F Dilger of Englewood, NJ who predeceased her on November 21, 2003. Bob waited patiently for 21 years for Eleanor to join him in heaven.

Eleanor’s life will be forever cherished in the lives of her 4 devoted children, 11 loving grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. Eleanor & Bob raised their 4 children in Waldwick, NJ. Eleanor’s children are Robert F Dilger Jr (wife, Barbara) of Waldwick, New Jersey, Chistopher F Dilger (wife, Mary) of Linden, Michigan, Catherine E Botz (husband, Gunnar) of Pahoa, Hawaii, and Timothy J Dilger (wife, Pamela) of Hamburg, New Jersey.

Eleanor & Bob lived in Waldwick, NJ from 1958 to 1990 until they retired and moved to Little River, South Carolina in 1990. Eleanor was a librarian at the Ridgewood Library for 21 years from 1969 to 1990 and worked another 24 years as a librarian in North Myrtle Beach, SC from 1992 to 2016 when she finally “officially” retired at the age of 88. Eleanor & Bob lived a very happy retirement living on the Inter-Coastal waterway of Little River, SC until the too soon passing of Bob in 2003. Both

Eleanor and Bob were very social and active during their days including always finding time to do volunteer work to help their community.

Eleanor’s faith was very strong, and she tried to go to mass daily. She was also a Eucharistic Minister for many years. Both Eleanor and Bob were active in the Catholic Church, and it was important to them both that their children receive a catholic education. Eleanor spent her final year at Mill Gardens in Midland Park, NJ. Eleanor was best known at Mill Gardens for leading the rosary prayer group on Thursdays.

Eleanor was happiest when she was around her family and selflessly devoted her life to them. Eleanor put everything aside for her children. She worked during her years at the Ridgewood Library to help provide her children with a good education. Education was so important to Eleanor. She loved to read, play bridge, and go to Broadway theaters. And one of her most favorite things to do was to complete the Sunday New York Times Crossword Puzzle each week. The 20+ years that she worked at the North Myrtle Beach library after her retirement was so that she could have extra money to spoil her grandchildren. Nothing would make Eleanor happier than having her family visit her and spending time with them at the beach.

In addition to her children, grandchildren, & great grandchildren, Eleanor will be missed by her beloved sister Rita Franz of N. Myrtle Beach, SC and her brother John Kriss (wife, Sandy) of Surfside, California as well as her many cherished nieces and nephews in the Dilger, Gardner, Finn, Brenner, and Franz families. Eleanor’s sisters Jean Gardner, formerly of Greenwich, CT and Gwenyth Kriss formerly of Scarsdale, NY predeceased her.

There will be a Funeral Mass at 11:00AM on Friday, May 10, 2024, at St Gabriel’s Church in Saddle River, NJ. Instead of flowers, donations in the memory of Eleanor C Dilger can be made to United for Libraries https://ec.ala.org/donation/UNL-0000-PERGIV?amount=blank or to the Red Cross https://www.redcross.org/ two of Eleanor’s favorite charities.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared.