Obituary of Elreta D. Blackman
Elreta Doreen Blackman, formally of Barbados, West Indies, resident of Piscataway, and devoted member of Christ United Methodist Church Piscataway, New Jersey, peacefully entered eternal rest on December 28, 2024, at the age of 94 years.
She was the mother of Mariette Hope (deceased), Exzera Hope Gaskin, Colin Anderson Blackman-Medford and Dwight Evelyn Blackman-Medford.
Sister of Hazel Headley and Harriette Thomas of Canada (both deceased) and Joyce Thomas of Barbados.
Aunt of Deborah and David Headley and Anabelle Thomas of Canada.
Neice of Louisa Lynch of Barbados (deceased).
Cousin of Winston Warton (USA), Ernesta and Cassie Walcott and Gloria Lynch (deceased) of Barbados, Thelma, Andrew and Peter Mascoll (USA).
Grandmother of Mark Hope, Sheldene Hope, Larrington Hope, Saa-Ankh Clarke, Ranisha Grant, Korie Williams, Hannah Medford and Aliyah Medford.
Great grandmother of Charisa Ifill, Shaquille Ifill, Shamaine Ifill, Shania Ifill, My’lissa Hope, Moné Hope and Rashan Grant.
Great great-grandmother of Kemani Lowe, Aiden Ifill, Jadaine Babb-Ifill, Lanée Lorde and Jakairi Best.
Mother-in-law of Dennis Gaskin and Valentine Murage-Medford.
Close friend of Sarah Frith. Also of Evelyn Hartmann, Edie Turi, Sallie Trainor, Juliette Griffith and many other members of Christ United Methodist Church family and the choir.
Among her many interests were crocheting, knitting, reading, solving complex crosswords, sewing and other craft related projects.
Elreta had great concern for the welfare of former soldiers and spent many hours doing volunteer work for the Veterans-Gibraltar Post and St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston. She visited and entertained veterans from WW1 and 2, Korean and Vietnam Wars.
Visitation will be held at Christ United Methodist Church, 485 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854 on Saturday, January 18, 2025 beginning 10am followed by an 11:30am funeral service.
Elreta will be laid to rest at Rosedale Cemetery, 408 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ 07042 on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 11am.
Although flowers would be encouraged, those wishing to make a contribution in Elreta’s name may do so to the American Heart Association (www.Heart.org) or the American Lymphedema Association (www.Lymphnode.org.)
Professional services have been entrusted to Piscataway Funeral Home (www.PiscatawayFuneralHome.com.)