Eva Marie (Nee Linzer) Wiley

Eva Wiley peacefully passed away on September 8, 2019.
Eva was born in Perth Amboy, NJ, grew up in Woodbridge, NJ and attended Woodbridge High School. She then went on to graduate with a Fine Arts degree from Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ. Shortly after she graduated from college, she met her devoted husband, Jack and they settled together in Westfield, NJ, a community Eva loved and where she and Jack raised their two children together.
A proud Jersey girl, Eva was involved in her community. When she wasn't shuttling her children back and forth to school, to soccer or baseball games, playdates or other activities she was active in other ways. She was President of the College Women's Club of Westfield, President of the Friends of the Westfield Memorial Library, a member of the Westfield Garden Club, and the NJ Coastal Commission and was practically a fixture at the Westfield dog park.
Eva will be remembered for her ability to make everyone feel welcome in her home. Whether it was the yearly Wiley holiday party in Westfield or a beachside get-together in Ocean City, she had a way of making those from near and far feel relaxed in her presence. Guests would invariably leave parties she hosted with fond memories and often a fun trinket – a blinking ring, a noisemaker, or matching 'ugly' shirts – from the smiling hostess with the camera.
Eva loved taking photographs. Not so much of the mountains or the ocean, but of the people she cared most about. The myriad of collages she lovingly created and adorned her homes with were almost exclusively of those who were lucky enough to be enjoying her company; the smiling faces too many to count. If you found yourself included in one of the collages, you knew you had made it into her world, and felt lucky to be there.
An early riser, Eva could often be found at her local pool swimming laps at dawn. Her accomplishments as a swimmer date back to her high school days when she was a state champion diver. From her early days at the local YMCA as a camp counselor, to her last summer on the Jersey shore, she somehow always found time for the pool and the ocean.
In addition to her swimming achievements, her sister Char always marveled at how multi-talented her big sis was. From acrobatics, to baton twirling, the color guard, to skiing and snowboarding, she was a skilled athlete. She was also a talented artist. Her sparkle and charismatic personality gained her many friends with many circles.
Her dogs, her dogs, her dogs. Each crowd-attracting Shar Pei that the Wileys have enjoyed, a co-owner in Eva that saw to it that no gourmet meal was missed, no car or car seat was off limits, and no couch was too good to be lounged on. Her beloved Rollz is the most recent and perhaps sweetest of her wrinkly-faced companions; Rollz never left Eva's bedside when she took ill. Those who she befriended at the dog parks in Ocean City and Westfield will miss her warmth and the genuine interest she showed towards all dogs, always keeping her pockets full of dog treats in case she saw a pup in need of a goodie.
Her closely knit group of friends who date back decades speak of losing a fiercely loyal friend who was always there when needed and asked for nothing in return. She was admired by her friends for her warm heart and strong spirit. Her best friend describes her as, "beautiful through and through and the best friend ever to so many lucky people."
She was most proud of her children, Brooke and JC and her grandchildren, Kenzie and Isabella. She never missed a moment to tell her children how proud she was of the people they had become and the parents they now are. She cherished being a Mom Mom to her 2 granddaughters, regularly driving Isabella to school, and playing hide-and-seek and dancing every chance she got with Kenzie. Eva's smile lives on in them.
Eva is survived by her loving husband Jack, children Brooke and her husband Eric, her son JC and his wife Nubia, grandchildren, Kenzie and Isabella, her sister, Charlene and her beloved dog, Rollz.
Graveside services for Eva will begin at 10:30am Saturday September 28, 2019 at Fairview Cemetery, Westfield. Arrangements by Gray Funeral Home, Westfield. Please go to: www.grayfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Eva's memory to: Freedom Service Dogs of America at www. freedomservicedogs.org.