Grace E. Henkel

Grace Ellen Henkel (nee Lammerding), 88 1/2 years old, formerly of Haddonfield, died on Monday, June 26, 2023, in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, after suffering from a long and debilitating illness.   Grace was born on December 31, 1934, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, to John Charles Vincent and Mary Margaret (nee Elmiger) Lammerding. Grace was their youngest and their last surviving child.

Grace thrived in her youth and was loved by her large, close, and religious family in Elizabeth. She began her education at Elizabeth’s St. Mary’s School, and then she grew into a stereotypical 1950’s Bobby-socks wearing high school student, who was very enthusiastic, popular, and was always involved in various activities like playing on her high school basketball team and joining singing choirs. Grace graduated from Battin High School for Girls in Elizabeth in 1952.

After High School she worked as a switchboard operator for the legal department at Bell Telephone in New York City. During this time she was involved in a car accident where she suffered injuries.  Fortuitously she crossed paths with a recently established and local Eatontown (NJ) physician, Dr. George E. Henkel, who treated and cared for her.  Grace and George were soon married in 1960, and traveled a great deal including several trips to Europe.  In Eatontown, Grace and George sought to raise their four children. Grace gave her children lots of freedom with almost no restrictions, and encouraged them to seek out adventures and to pursue their dreams.

Grace graduated with honors from Georgian Court University in New Jersey, with a bachelor’s degree in Library Sciences.  She had a long career as a U.S. Government reference Librarian at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.  She was also a life-long and deeply devoted member of the Roman Catholic Church, attending mass regularly.  She had a generous nature, one that was evident when asked to donate or volunteer for those in need, especially wildlife and animals.  During her life, she had many pet dogs. Her heart was always with the dogs and the dogs were her priority, including adopting a young blind pup that had been rescued after falling into a storm drain.

Grace had many interests to fill her life.  Her family was very important to her along with her many dear friends.  Her lifelong friendships reached from her high school days, to her working years, and spanned on to her recent neighbors.  She constantly stayed in touch with friends and family by calling, writing or visiting them.  Her other favorite past times were reading (a lot) newspapers, magazines and books, working on crossword puzzles, listening to Frank Sinatra, singing along with the “oldies,” and then reading some more books. She also worked meticulously on cross stitch needlepoint. She also cheered from her sofa for her favorite sports teams and athletes. She enjoyed watching old classic movies, sitting on the beach with a book, and cuddling with her pet dogs.

After retirement Grace moved to Haddonfield. There she made time to volunteer for those in need, especially the elderly, as she frequently drove her old gold Honda wagon for 10+ years in support of the Care Givers organization in Haddonfield. Grace kept active by going to the local YMCA and joined aerobic classes.  She constantly and reliably attended her grandchildren’s numerous school activities, their sporting events, their musical recitals, their award/achievement ceremonies and their religious ceremonies.  Grace always made sure her grandkids knew she was there by cheering and clapping as loudly as she could. Grace kept family gatherings and holiday events lively, almost always wanting to play a game or having a directed discussion. She was always ready to dance, travel, have a cocktail, sing, laugh and be sarcastic. She was truly blessed with a life full of love and adventure.

Grace was predeceased by all eight of her loving siblings and their wonderful spouses.  Grace’s brothers were Richard (wife Jean) Lammerding, John “Jude” (wife Jane) Lammerding, and Robert B. (wife Rita) Lammerding.  Grace’s four sisters were Mary (husband John) Reuter, Ann (husband William) Scavuzzo, Jane (husband Wilbur) Rau, and Elizabeth “Betsy” Lammerding. Amazingly, all of her siblings and their families remained close throughout their lives. George Henkel, her former husband, died in 1993.

She is survived by her three sons, Daniel and his wife Cynthia of New Jersey, Robert and his husband Burl of Falls Church, Virginia, Scott and his wife Christine of Wisconsin, and her daughter Lisa. Also survived by Grace are her eight grandchildren, Abigail and Emerson of New Jersey, and Ethan, Emmitt, Ezra, Genevieve, Gabrielle, and Gillian of Wisconsin, and many wonderful nieces and nephews and their families. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Grace is now at peace and is spending eternity in the loving embrace of Christ, her dearly departed family, and her loyal pet dogs. She will be laid to rest near her most decent and loving parents, and two of her siblings at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Newark, New Jersey.

Grace requested that all of her funeral services remain private.