Ginger Lane Gottberg, age 73 years, of Delaware Township, NJ, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, August 4, 2019 at Hamilton Continuing Care Center, Hamilton Township, NJ.

Born in New York City, NY, October 23, 1945, this proud 100% Irish lass was raised in New York City and had lived for many years in Glen Rock, NJ prior to moving to Delaware Township, NJ to be closer to her daughter.

Earning her Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from Pace University, Ginger was a flight attendant with Pan Am, based out of John F. Kennedy International Airport, NY, for thirteen years.

It was at the airport where Ginger met a young man named George A. Gottberg, Jr., who was hit with Cupid’s sledgehammer when he laid eyes on the lovely redhead dressed to the nines in her Pan Am uniform. While at the airport to pick up friends, his life would take a drastic turn for the better upon this chance encounter. The two would marry in Yonkers, NY on March 4, 1972 and share more than 47 years of happiness together.

Their love would produce one daughter, Allison, who fondly recalls her mom as kind, quiet, gentle and truly loving. Ginger was one who, when she made a friend, would make certain they became lifelong friends and this has inspired Allison as she has traveled down life’s path. Loving wife, mother and friend is not just a nice sentiment, but one that Ginger put into action each and every day.

She had many hobbies, including reading everything in sight; in fact, she was a long time member of the “Glen Rock Bookies” book club. She also enjoyed bowling and her purple ball and bag were signature trademarks. Long Beach Island (LBI) each September was also something which made Ginger truly happy. This was mostly due to the fact she got to spend the time with her best friend, her sister Marilyn.

She also worked for many years with the women’s shelters in Paterson, NJ as well as delivering Meals on Wheels. Ginger brought many smiles to those in need of food over the years.

An attendee of Briteside Adult Day Center, Flemington, NJ for the past year, Ginger’s family would like to thank all those involved with this amazing program as well as Project Lifesaver.

There are two Irish sayings which sum up Ginger’s loving legacy and these are surely things she inspired throughout her life and would want to leave all those reading this with: “These things, I warmly wish for you – Someone to love, some work to do, a bit of o’ sun, a bit o’ cheer. And a guardian angel always near” and, “The hands are there for friendship, the heart is there for love.” If you wish to honor Ginger, please be that earthly guardian angel for someone else.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a cousin, Eileen Martyn in 2016.

Surviving are her loving husband, George A. Gottberg, Jr.; her cherished daughter and son-in-law, Allison and Jeremiah Hupka; her adored sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Robert Smith; her caring niece, Amanda Bond; her two fur babies, Mason and Joy; and many dear friends.

Friends are invited to celebrate Ginger’s life on Thursday, August 8, 2019 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ 08822.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Msgr. Edward O’Neill will take place on Friday, August 9, 2019 at 9:45 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 105 Summer Road, Three Bridges, NJ under the care and direction of the Wright & Ford Care Team Family. Everyone is encouraged to arrive at the church beginning at 9:30 a.m. Funeral home care team members will direct you upon arrival.

Cremation at the Chapel of Ewing Crematory was private under the direct supervision of the Wright & Ford Licensed Care Team Family.

Please visit Ginger’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com where one can light a memorial candle and leave a message of condolence and words of comfort, as well as share stories and photographs of her life.

Memorial contributions in Ginger’s honor may be made to Alzheimer’s New Jersey, 425 Eagle Rock Avenue, #203, Roseland, NJ 07068 or online by clicking HERE.

_____________________________

Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”