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RED BANK: EDITH BLAKE DIES AT 108

 

By BRIAN DONOHUE

Edith Blake, whose life encapsulated a century of Red Bank history and whose smile and outlook inspired its populace well past her 100th birthday, died Saturday. She was 108 years old and considered the town’s oldest resident. 
 
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“Born in 1918 this beautiful woman, our beloved Mother, GRANDMA, (cq)  Great Grandma, Great Great Grandma, Aunt Edie lived a glorious 108 yrs,” her granddaughter Lisa Bowles posted on Facebook. “She enjoyed traveling whenever she could. But most of all when she smiled at you, you knew immediately that this woman instantly LOVED you. That is how she cherished life. She LOVED everyone. Oh the lessons we all learned from her. We Love You Grandma.”

In a 2024 interview with redbankgreen, Blake recounted attending a segregated school in Fair Haven, playing piano in the home of William “Count” Basie and working in the Edmund Eisner uniform factory. Well past her 100th birthday she was a fixture at the Red Bank Senior Center.

“I love everybody,’’ she told redbankgreen. “Even those who won’t love me, I still love ’em. I just love everybody.” 

To read our profile and interview with Blake, click below. 

RED BANK: EDITH BLAKE REFLECTS ON 106 YEARS

A viewing is scheduled for Friday, March 13 from 4 pm to 7 pm at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad Street.

The funeral will be Saturday, March 14 at 10 am at St. Thomas Church, 26 Sunset Avenue, Red Bank 

redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331.

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