Obituary of Ellen Topar

Ellen Hickey Topar, 61, of Westfield, N.J., passed away suddenly on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, at Overlook Medical Center. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 259 Oliver St., Newark, N.J., on Thursday, Sept. 7, at 10:30 a.m. The interment will be private. Visitation will be held at The Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home, 2122 Millburn Ave., Maplewood, N.J., on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. Born in Newark, Ellen lived in Westfield for 29 years. She worked at the Millburn and Springfield Libraries in the mid 1970s to 1980s. She was a member of the choir at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and also a member of the Sons of Italy in East Orange, N.J. Ellen loved to do needlepoint and cook homemade Italian meals for her family. She also loved dancing the night away at JoBonnano and the Godsons of Soul concerts at the Jersey Shore. She was predeceased by her father, Norman Hickey. Ellen is survived by her husband, Kevin Topar; daughter, Rosemary Topar and her husband, Daniel DeJager; her mother, Marie Hickey; her sister, Suzanne Hickey Galvin, and her beloved beagle, Peanut. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Jersey Workshop for the Arts, 150-152 E. Broad St., Westfield, N.J. 07090, or to the Sons of Italy, Padre Pio Lodge, 16 Peniston Ave., East Hanover, N.J. 07936. For more information, or to send condolences, please visit jacobhollefuneralhome.com.