Elisa Friel

Elisa Friel, 89, formerly of Hazlet, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on August 2, 2026.

Born in Manhattan, she remained a proud native of her hometown even after moving to New Jersey, where she spent many years raising her family.

For 55 beautiful years, Elisa was married to her beloved husband, Bernard. Following his passing, she often shared that she deeply missed him each day of the 11 years they were apart.

Together, Elisa and Bernard devoted their love, time, and attention to their four children by birth and four by marriage: Jean and Robert Hall of Ocean; Lisa and Joseph Norbut of Freehold; Mary Ellen and Jim Swisher of Longport; and Bernard and Andrée (Prindiville) Friel of Rumson. Above all, she cherished her grandchildren—Ben, Abigail, Sam, Gregory, and Grace. She held a special place in her heart for her many nieces and nephews.

Elisa enjoyed being active. Once the children were in school, she worked as a nursery school teacher, a temporary office worker, and a food demonstrator at Costco. She was friendly, caring, funny, fearless, and fiercely loyal.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated caregivers and dear friends at Brandywine Living at Sycamore for the exceptional care, companionship, and warmth they provided Elisa.

At Elisa's request, funeral arrangements will be private.

For those wishing to share memories and condolences, the family may be reached via a private email elisafriel204@yahoo.com or if you wish you may share in the guestbook at Jersey Shore Cremation website.

Services are entrusted to Jersey Shore Cremation Service, 43 Taylor Avenue, Manasquan, NJ - JerseyShoreCremation.com