Michele Ryan

Michele Marie McCluskey Ryan, affectionately known as “Mickey,” departed this life on August 7, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. She was 80 years old. Born on January 2, 1943, at Princeton Hospital, she was a lifelong Princeton resident.

Mickey was a 1960 graduate of Princeton High School and received her diploma from Newport Hospital School of Nursing in 1963. After two years at Newport Hospital, she returned home in 1965 where she began her storied career at Princeton Medical Center. She returned to school while working full-time and raising her children to obtain her bachelor’s degree in 1991 at the age of 48 and her master’s degree in 1993 at the age of 50. Her career at Princeton Medical Center spanned 35 years, beginning as a staff nurse, and ascending the ranks to Executive Director of Nursing.

One of the highlights of her distinguished career was overseeing the Department of Redesign, a position created specifically for her. Her invaluable contribution to this position brought, in part, what is known today as Fast Track in the ER — created specifically to expedite less serious illnesses while treating all patients in the most efficient manner. She was a tireless advocate for patient care. She was known as no-nonsense but fair, which won her the respect and admiration of all who knew and worked with her. After her retirement in 2000 she was integral in growing the Ivy Inn from her brother’s vision to present day. Her guidance at her beloved Ivy during these years was invaluable. Mickey also had a home in Naples, Florida, where she enjoyed being a snowbird for many years.

Mickey was a recipient of the YWCA’s Tribute to Women in Industry award in 1998. She was a proud member and past president of the Ladies Auxiliary of Princeton Engine Company No. 1.

Mickey was predeceased by her parents Leo G. and Marion A. McCluskey, her brother L. Richard “Dickey” McCluskey, and her mother-in-law Kae Ryan. She is survived by her son, Richard Ryan, daughter, Kelly Ryan, and grandchildren Alexa Trani and Nicolas Trani. She is also survived by Cathy Levens and her children Jacie and Kenneth.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, August 10 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ. Burial will follow at Princeton Cemetery. A celebration of a life well lived will follow the burial at Ivy Inn, 248 Nassau Street. Visiting hours will be private for the family.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home.

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Norman McNatt

Norman McNatt of Princeton Junction, NJ, died at home on July 26, 2023, after a short illness.

In his working life Norman taught English and European history at Wagner College, and served in administrative capacities at Rutgers University, the Institute of Advanced Study, Princeton, and Princeton University.

He was a self-taught, gifted cabinetmaker, an avid fly fisherman, and an energetic and accomplished restorer of his 100-year-old home in Princeton Junction, where he lived with his wife, Susanne McNatt, for 50 years. He and Susanne were high school sweethearts, and enjoyed more than 60 years as homemakers, travel mates, and helpmates. Susanne survives him.

For those who knew him, he wanted them to know how much he enjoyed all the happy hours with his tennis and fishing companions, and how grateful he was for all the friendship and kindness of friends over the years, and for treasured family members who enriched his life, especially his fellow Arsenal F.C. fan and best bud, Evan.

If anyone wishes to make a donation in his name, please consider Isles, Inc., of Trenton, (isles.org, 609-341-4700) or the Fund for Irish Studies (fis.princeton.edu, 609-258-4840).

Cremation arrangements are under the direction and care of Aftercare Cremation Service, 729 State Route 18, East Brunswick, NJ 08816. To share condolences with the family please visit aftercarecremations.com.

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Jane Taggart Whittaker

Jane Taggart Whittaker, 92, of Pennington, New Jersey, formerly of Brigantine, passed away peacefully at her residence on Thursday, August 3, 2023.

Jane was born to the late John and Marjorie Taggart in St. Petersburg, Florida, on May 24, 1931. She spent her childhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and her summers in Beach Haven, New Jersey. Jane graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1948 and received a BA degree from Hood College, Frederick, Maryland in 1952. Jane taught English and Literature to middle and high school students for several years in the Philadelphia area prior to her marriage in 1955 to Frank L. Whittaker. Jane and Frank raised their family in East Brunswick and Princeton, New Jersey. They retired together to their summer home in Brigantine, New Jersey.

Jane is survived by her children: Susan Ferguson and her husband John, Carol Ann Berry and her husband Rick, Margie Robinson and her husband Dave, Sally Wood, William Whittaker and his wife Eliza, Frank Whittaker, Jr. (predeceased in 2016) and his wife Jeanne. Jane was also predeceased by her loving husband, Frank in 2009 and her little daughter, Elizabeth in 1960. Jane is also survived by 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Jane will be remembered as a warm and loving mother, grandmother, and friend. She was proud of her family and loved spending time with them as much as possible. Jane brought joy and unconditional love to everyone she met. Jane was a longtime devotee of Self-Realization Fellowship. She attended, hosted, and often led services with the Princeton and Atlantic City SRF chapters.

Jane looked forward to the day she would be joined with her guru, Paramahansa Yogananda.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the viewing for Jane at Keates-Plum Funeral Home, 3112 Brigantine Avenue, Brigantine, NJ on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 from 5-7 p.m. A Life Celebration Funeral Service will be held at the Community Presbyterian Church, 1501 W. Brigantine Avenue, Brigantine on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 11 a.m. The interment will be held privately at Laurel Memorial Park in Egg Harbor Township.

To share your fondest memory of Jane, please visit keatesplum.com.

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Marie Edelman Berman

Marie Edelman Berman, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, died at her Sea Girt, New Jersey, home on Sunday, August 6, 2023 at the age of 90.

A longtime resident of Princeton, N.J., Marie was born on December 13, 1932 in Trenton, N.J., to Minnie (nee Kahn) and Jack Edelman. She was the youngest of four siblings, all of whom predeceased her: sister Ruth, brothers Milton and Aaron, and sister-in-law Evelyn. At Trenton High School she met her future husband of 65 years, Ronald Berman, who passed away in August 2018.

Marie attended Trenton State College, now The College of New Jersey, where she earned a BA in education. She worked as a public school teacher for a time before retiring to focus her energies on her growing family.

Marie and Ron were ardent and steadfast supporters of the community, generously donating their time and resources to myriad local organizations. They were also mainstays at Trenton Titans games, where, Marie in particular, cheered on her team vociferously from the owner’s box.

Marie is survived by the loving family to whom she devoted her life: sons Michael, Geoffrey, and Daniel; daughters-in-law Victoria, Joanne, and Karen; and seven loving grandchildren who were the great joys of her life: Zachary, Jeremy, Alexander, Harrison, Charles, Matthew, and Elisabeth. She was a beloved aunt to Milton Edelman, Paula Rosenzweig, and their families.

Always a proud Trentonian, Marie cherished her summers at the shore, and spent her last days at the beach surrounded by her family.

Funeral services were held on August 8 at Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, 1534 Pennington Road, Ewing Township. The family respectfully requests memorial contributions to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Shiva will be observed at the Berman residence in Princeton on Wednesday, August 9, from 5:30–8 p.m.

For condolences please visit OrlandsMemorialChapel.com.