Obituary of Ann M. Bertolatus
Ann O’Mara Bertolatus passed peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Friday, September 1, one day shy of her 93rd birthday. A lifelong resident of New Jersey, she was born in Newark in 1930, daughter of James and Margaret O’Mara, and lived in Maplewood until moving to Point Pleasant Beach in 1943.
Ann was predeceased by her husband, former Point Pleasant Beach Police Chief Charles Bertolatus. They were married nearly fifty years until his death in 2003. She is also predeceased by her sister Eileen Clayton in 2022, one of the four O’Mara sisters, lovingly referred to as the ‘Golden Girls’.
After graduating as valedictorian of the Point Pleasant Beach High School Class of 1948, Ann held various jobs in Point Pleasant Beach throughout her long life including telephone operator, lunchroom and playground aide at the G. Harold Antrim Elementary School and meter maid -- but her proudest was likely as crossing guard at the corner of Route 35 South and Arnold Avenue where, for many years, she expertly helped countless students and other pedestrians safely navigate the busiest corner in town during the school day.
Ann took great pleasure in reading, sewing, knitting, travel, musical theater, puzzles and word games and never missed an episode of Jeopardy. A loving and devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother, she could be found at any activity that involved her large family, which includes daughter Patricia Chase and her husband Mark of Toms River NJ; son Charles of Aiken SC; son Richard and his wife Barbara of Wall NJ; daughter Janice Zucker and her husband Ira of Wall NJ; grandchildren, Michelle and Joe Lordi; Allison Harris and Michael Nixon; Matthew and Deanna Chase; Meghann Chase; Gillian and Justin Zucker; and Troy and Brett Bertolatus as well as 8 great grandchildren. Ann is also survived by her sisters Peg Whelan of Palm Beach Gardens FL and Joan Clark of Point Pleasant NJ as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends near and far.
Memorial visitation will be held from 4 - 7 p.m., Wednesday, September 6 at the Pable Evertz Funeral Home of Point Pleasant, 901 Beaver Dam Road. At 11:30 a.m., Thursday, September 7 a Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at Saint Peter Church, 406 Forman Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach.
Ann’s family would like to express heartfelt thanks to both Brandywine Senior Living of Wall and Embracing Hospice Care for the compassion and kindness shown in the past few weeks. Donations may be made in Ann’s name to the Point Pleasant Beach First Aid & Emergency Squad [www.pointbeachems.org] or to the charity of your choice.
Tributes and condolences are welcome at www.pableevertzfuneralhome.com