Ilene Eugenia “Jean” Berich, 97, of Little Silver, passed away peacefully March 3, 2025.
Born April 13, 1927, in Rahway, Jean was the daughter of the late Oscar Andul and Eugenia Roesch. She graduated from Rahway High School and then pursued other studies. During World War II, Jean worked for Merck Pharmaceuticals.
In 1946, she wed Albert Theodore Berich. They met during WWII while Albert was serving in the Army Air Corps. Following his service, the couple moved briefly to Virginia, where Albert completed law school at the University of Virginia. Following his graduation, they returned to New Jersey and moved to Little Silver. Albert eventually opened his own law firm in Red Bank and Jean was the office manager. Later, the firm became Berich & Berich Law Firm when their son joined the practice.
Jean and Albert were blessed with three children: Pamela (wife of Halford Haskell of Georgetown, Texas), Ilene Eugenia (of Georgetown, Texas), and Watson Prater (husband to Leslie Adams of Red Bank).
Jean was an active member in the Lutheran Church throughout her life. She also was a founding member of the Women’s Club of Little Silver, EMD. She and Albert were also founding members of the Little Silver Republican Party. Jean enjoyed cooking and entertaining and was an avid gardener as well as being gifted in floral arranging.
She loved the outdoors and traveled throughout her life. When the children were home, every summer the family took their travel trailers across the U.S. and into Mexico and Canada. Later, she went on grand international trips to destinations such as Europe, South America, Russia, Greece and Egypt.
Jean also adored taking vacations to Disney World with her family and grandchildren, Theodore Haskell (husband to Marjorie Sovinski), John Haskell, and Emily Berich-Anastasio (wife to Mitchell Anastasio). “Granny,” as she was known to them, loved going on adventures, whether it was exploring the nature trails at Sandy Hook or jetting off to Gettysburg or Boston on a whim.
A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 13 at Luther Memorial Church, 818 Tinton Ave., Tinton Falls. Private interment will be held the following day. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Luther Memorial Church in memory of Jean. Arrangements are under the direction of Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank.
The article originally appeared in the March 13 – 19, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
