Obituaries

Raymond J. McCabe August 22, 1947 – February 11, 2019

Raymond J. McCabe passed away peacefully on February 11, 2019. The son of the late Elizabeth and George McCabe Sr., Ray was raised in Pequannock, NJ where he graduated from Pequannock Township High School. He then attended William Patterson University where he earned a Masters degree in Education and, most importantly, met the love of his life, Linda.

In 1969, Ray began a career as a teacher in the West Caldwell School district where he taught special education, mathematics, and science for almost 40 years. In the 1970s, Ray founded his own company, Reading Evaluations and Instructional Services, where he helped many children with their learning and educational needs. He was also the coach for the James Caldwell Rifle team for over a decade.

Ray was a lover of the beach and nature, and spent many summers in the home he built for his family in Cape May Point. He volunteered many summers as a tour guide at Cape May Point State Park. Ray was a wonderful story teller and would keep his friends and family entertained with his tales, jokes, debating prowess, and knowledge of obscure random facts.

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Linda McCabe and his daughters Melissa (Rob) Villanella, Elycia (Chris) Norton, and Vanessa (Jason) Bordley; three cherished grandchildren Cassandra Villanella, Michael Villanella and Samantha Norton; and his beloved dog Kelsey. Ray was predeceased by his brother George McCabe Jr.

Services will be private. The family would like to send special thanks to the staff at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg and Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest for their outstanding care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lehigh Valley Health Network.

Tamara G. Selden, 87 of Palmer Twp., PA died Sunday, February 10, 2019 at Moravian Village, Bethlehem, PA. Born March 20, 1931 in Bronx, NY she was a daughter of the late Fay (Buxbaum) and Herschel Kleinfeld. She and her husband Howard S. Selden, D.D.S. have been married 67 years. She was a graduate of Moravian College and earned her master’s degree in counseling from Lehigh University. Tamara offered seminars on women’s issues at various Lehigh Valley locations including Cedar Crest College and Northampton Community College. She was a member of the Temple Covenant of Peace, Easton and very active member of AAUW (American Assoc. of University Women), Easton Chapter.

She is survived by her husband Howard; her children: David Selden (wife Julie Wallick) of Reston, VA, Nathan Selden (wife Leigh) of Bethlehem, Rachel Scotti (husband Michael) of Madison, NJ; sisters: Marian Schneck of Minneapolis, MN, Blossom Carlton of New York, Naomi Lerner of Dayton, OH; 4 grandchildren: Robert Selden (wife Becky), Elizabeth Karabas (husband Nikos), Ben Scotti, Jack Scotti; and 3 great-grandchildren: Tyler, Callen and Piper. She was predeceased by a brother: Irving Kleinfeld and grandson: Sam Selden.

Services are 10 AM Sunday (Feb. 17) in the Temple Covenant of Peace, 1451 Northampton St., Easton; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Interment is in Easton Cemetery. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Elsie Marie Wendt, 90 of Easton, PA left for her heavenly home while in hospice care at Abington Manor, Easton on Saturday, Feb. 9,  2019. Born in Jersey City, NJ on Nov. 18, 1928, she grew up in the midst of the Great Depression and married Bill Wendt in 1950. They lived with her parents, Jeppe and Marie Wolthers for a short time before moving to their first home in Scotch Plains, NJ and then moved to Bridgewater, NJ in 1965 with their growing family. Elsie and Bill parted ways in 1981 and he died in 2011. In 1998 Elsie moved to Easton and then to Abington Manor in 2017. She worked as a bookkeeper for Standard Oil Company of New York and then took a break to raise her family. She returned to work at Bell Labs in 1975, first in the cleaning department, then in the service dining room and ended her career as a control board operator in 1993.

Elsie was a Lutheran all of her life. She attended a Norwegian ELCA church in Jersey City with her family while growing up. She became a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Forks Township upon moving to Easton and sang in the church choirs in both Jersey City and Easton. Elsie was an avid board game player. She liked Scrabble, Yahtzee, Trouble and other simple board games. She also liked to do crossword puzzles and word jumbles and play card games like Rummy. She also embroidered with the printed patterns and was an explorer who took many trips to Europe and the Caribbean. She loved taking rides in cars with her children – something that she did up to a few weeks prior to her passing. Surviving Elsie are six children: Neil, Marie, Kirsten, Erik, Lars and Arne; nine grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Services are 2 PM Sunday (Feb. 17) in Faith Lutheran Church, 2012 Sullivan Trail, Easton, PA 18040 with visitation from 1 to 2 PM in the church. Interment will be private in Bethel Hill Cemetery, Sweet Valley, PA. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the church. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Kent D. Jones, 63, of Easton, died Monday, February 4, 2019.  Born November 20, 1955 in Easton, he was a son of the late James G. and Anita (Rapp) Jones.

He graduated from Northampton Area High School. He returned to school mid-life and graduated cum laude from Allentown Business School earning an Associate Business Degree in Data Processing in 1988. In his youth, he enjoyed reading, chess, and tennis. In later life, he valued solitude, nature, and the company of cats. Throughout a life of severe mental illness and prolonged homelessness, he still retained a pure heart, a gentle spirit, and an innate sense of dignity.

The family extends deep gratitude to those who saw beyond his circumstances and treated him with respect. “Red”, as he was known, was sustained by the kindness of the community, most especially the caring staff and ministries at Safe Harbor.

Surviving are his two sisters, Kathy Corbett and Keely Yetter, and his brother, Keith Jones.

Services for Red will be private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to Safe Harbor Easton, 536 Bushkill St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.