Henrietta “Henny” Prendergast, 84, of Middletown, passed away Sept. 26, 2025, at Riverview Hospital in Red Bank.
She was born in the Bronx and later moved to New Jersey to be closer to her sister and extended family. Henny worked for many years in housekeeping at the Warwick Hotel in New York City and proudly posed for photos with the celebrity guests who stayed there.
In her younger years, she often traveled solo by plane, train, bus and ferry. She never hesitated to spontaneously head to Coney Island just for her favorite hot dog.
Henny lived in the same building as her sister, Margie, for many years, sharing countless moments with family – from festive holidays and Disney vacations to walks on the Jersey Shore boardwalk. She loved her family and was proud of their accomplishments; her apartment was filled with photos capturing milestones from weddings and promotions to graduations and sacraments, a reflection of how much she cherished being part of their lives.
Henny was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Prendergast; her sister, Margie Formica; her niece, Paula Baldini; and her nephew, Fred Rodriguez.
She is survived by her niece, Cathy Rodriguez; her nephew, Vincent Formica and his wife Karen; her niece, Marylou Colon and her husband Junior; her great-nephews, Elijah Rodriguez and his wife Katie, Anthony Baldini and his wife Jaclyn, and Vincent Formica; and her great-niece, Nicole Alvarez and her husband Art, along with their children, Logan and Christopher.
Her sense of humor and candid personality will be deeply missed, as she brought laughter and joy into her family’s lives.
A funeral Mass was offered Sept. 30 at St. Agnes Church, Atlantic Highlands. Visitation was held the same day at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home. Interment was held Oct. 1 at Calverton National Cemetery on Long Island.
The article originally appeared in the October 2 – 8, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
