Obituary of Erma E. Cornell

Erma E. Cornell, 99, of Hillsborough passed away on Monday, December 6, 2021, at the Brookdale Hillsborough assisted living community. She was born in Millstone and raised in Englishtown until 1951. Erma lived in Freehold Boro until 1959 when she settled in Hillsborough. She was a mother to anyone who walked in her front door. In addition to raising her children, Erma worked for the Hillsborough Board of Education for many years. She was a lifelong member of the Hillsborough Presbyterian Church. Her favorite place was in her garden surrounded by her flowers with the sun on her shoulders. When Erma was not outside in her garden, she was in her home sewing, mending, and crocheting for her family and friends.

She was predeceased by her adoring husband, Lawrence in 2003; her son, Lawrence R. Cornell; sisters, Doris Megill and Frances Breslin; brother, Wilson F. Ekdahl; daughter-in-law, Evan Cornell; and her grandson, Scot Cornell. Erma is survived by her children, Robert J. Cornell and his partner, Stephen Harasha of Hillsborough, John E. Ekdahl of Freehold, Paul H. Ekdahl of Freehold, Hazel Vogel of Arizona, Ada Patrick of Manalapan, and Joan Iverson of Freehold; grandson, Torin Cornell and his wife, Stefania of Brooklyn; great grandsons, Stefano and Cristiano; and her best friend Carol Wetzel of Hillsborough.

A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), on Friday, December 10, 2021, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM with her funeral service to follow. Interment will follow in the Old Tennent Cemetery, Manalapan. The Cornell Family also wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at the Brookdale Hillsborough assisted living community for their years of care and companionship. In Lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Erma’s name to the charity of your choice. For information, directions, or condolence messages to the family visit claytonfuneralhome.com