Obituary of Evelyn Jo Berlinski

Evelyn Jo Berlinski, Mom, Granny, Sister, Aunt, and Friend left for her next adventure on July 4, 2021.  Never one to give in, Jo fought a long and tenacious battle with illness before finally allowing her body to rest on Independence Day.  Jo was born on May 16, 1950 to Leroy and Barbara (Duke) Phillips in Franklin, New Jersey and was the oldest of eight children.  She was a loving mother to four children and fun-loving Granny to her eleven grandchildren.

 

Always up for an adventure, Jo was happiest surrounded by family and spent much of her life gathering

with the people she loved for picnics, strolls through the woods and sharing family stories.  She worked for over 20 years at Valley View, starting as a nurse’s aide and then returned to school in her forties to gain her certification as an LPN before retiring to spend all of her time with her family.  Always one to try new things and to keep challenging herself, she also became a certified Reiki master and a massage therapist along the way.  After her retirement, she spent her time creating fairy houses in the forest for her grandchildren, taking trips to the ocean with her sisters, eating at every diner in Orange and Sussex County, planning her dream home and being the first person anyone in the family called when they had a problem to be solved. 

 

Her love and dedication to her family was evident in everything she did and she will be missed by the many, many people who loved her.  She is survived by her children Stacey Umhey and her husband Charlie of Stevensville, Montana, Mark Berlinski and his wife Shannon of Westtown, New York, Brian Berlinski of Unionville, New York, and Erin Hahn and her husband Paul of Littlestown, Pennsylvania.  She will be forever remembered as the wildest, most fun Granny ever by her eleven Grandchildren-Charlie, Oscar, Aiden, Shea, Finley, Colby, Brody, Braelyn, Carter, Lincoln and Kaylee.  She’ll be held close in spirit by her sisters Denise (Dee), Theresa (Reetz), Kathy (Weezer) and brothers David (Buck) and Mike, bonus sister Jo Ann (Nan), along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.  Jo was a friend to all and so many people will likely have some wild Jo Berlinski memories to enjoy!

 

She was predeceased by her parents, LeRoy and Barbara, infant daughter Shane, brother Patrick and sister Barbara (Tinker), and her beloved nephew Justin. 

 

In the last year of her life, Jo was supported by her good friend, Katie Conklin, to whom our family will be forever grateful for the companionship and love she shared with our mom. 

 

She will be forever missed, but never replaced. May she rest in eternal peace and enjoy the next chapter looking over her loving family and friends.  A celebration of Jo’s life will take place at a later date.