• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Skip to footer navigation

  • Calendar of events
  • 687 Larch Av, Teaneck NJ
  • 201-836-5187
  • Contact Us
  • DONATE
Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County NJ

Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County NJ

  • Home
  • About
    • Platform
    • FAQ
      • How does Ethical Culture make a difference in society?
      • What social life is there in Ethical Culture?
      • How is Ethical Culture religious?
    • Ethical Brew
    • Ceremonies
    • Philosophy
    • Constitution & Bylaws
    • Contact Us
  • Ethical Kids
    • Sunday School
      • Primary Class
      • Elementary Class
      • Junior Class
      • Senior Class
      • Sunday school FAQ
    • Youth Group
  • Leader
    • Leader Curt Collier
    • Leader’s Talks
    • Joe Chuman, Retired Leader
      • Talks by Dr Joseph Chuman
      • Speaking of Ethics: Living a Humanist Life
      • Wedding Officiant
  • Social Action
    • All Social Action Articles
    • Battling Racism
    • Environmental Action
    • Healthcare
  • Adult Ed
    • Job Club
    • Socrates Cafe
    • Ethical Culture Review of Books
  • News
    • President Column
    • UN Report
    • Platform Addresses
  • Events

Remembering Much-Admired Member Ethel Wertman

June 17, 2021

Ethel Wertman
Ethel Wertman

Our beloved, longtime member Ethel Wertman died peacefully at her home on June 10.

Ethel was born Aug. 6, 1932, in Battleford, Canada. She and her husband, Michael, had a very close and loving marriage for 49 years before his death in 2004, and they had two children, Karen Wertman and Lisa Crowe, and three grandchildren. 

Ethel had a master’s degree in social work, was a registered nurse who specialized in marriage and family therapy, and had been a sex educator in private practice. 

Ethel and Michael joined the New York Society for Ethical Culture in the mid 1960s and were active members. Daughters Karen and Lisa were students of Algernon Black, leader emeritus of the New York Society, and they are graduates of Ethical Culture Sunday School.

The family moved from New York to Chicago and to St. Louis before eventually settling in New Jersey. In each of their relocations, Ethel and Michael became active in the local Ethical Culture Society. Ethel was an Ethical Culture member for over 55 years.

In the mid 1980s, they joined the Bergen Society. Ethel enjoyed playing competitive tennis, preparing connoisseur meals, discovering good wine, telling a funny joke or story, traveling, and had a genuine interest in supporting and caring for others.

Ethel had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and was cared for by her hospice nurse and daughters.

Ethel’s good friends, Society members Bea Gopoian and Jim Griffin, had visited Ethel just two weeks before her death and reported that she was comfortable.

“Ethel was alot of fun to be with,” Jim said. “She told hilarious jokes and stories and could be counted on when needed. She was intelligent and an extremely caring person who always wanted to make you feel at ease.” 

“For four years, Barbara and I, along with Bea and Steve Gopoan, joined Ethel for her two weeks timeshare in Hilton Head, South Carolina,” he continued. “Our range of activities in this adult paradise ranged from playing tennis every morning, swimming in the ocean, dining in fine restaurants, tasting good wines, canoeing in the lagoon, bycling around the plantations, driving to and from New Jersey, and  being very thankful for what we had.”

Jim pointed out that “Ethel’s Skills Auction meals were extraordinarily well prepared right to the littlest detail. My dear Barbara shared in Ethel’s love of fine dining.”

The family will not have a memorial service, but condolence cards are welcome. They may be sent to her daughters at Ethel’s former address:

Karen Wertman, Lisa Crowe & Family

250  Ridgedale Ave., Apt. F3

Florham Park, NJ 07932

Primary Sidebar

Recent News

  • Church-State Separation: Who Stands to Lose if the Wall Fails?
  • Two Grants Help Fund ‘Great NJ Science Show’
  • Meet Our Newest Members, Andy and Deborah Krikun
  • Struggle over Church-State Separation has Deep Roots in America
  • I’m Not a Hater, So Why Do I Hate?

Sign up for our newsletter.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube

We believe in ethics. We believe in people.

Please believe in us.

Ethical Brew

Being White And Its Hidden Assumptions

‘How Race Impacts Conservation’

About Us

Ethical Culture was founded to focus on community and good works, rather than personal salvation. Read more…

Archives

Footer

Connect with Us

Address: 687 Larch Ave, Teaneck, NJ 07666
Phone: 201-836-5187
Email: [email protected]

Sign up for our newsletter.

 

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • Church-State Separation: Who Stands to Lose if the Wall Fails? January 30, 2023
  • Two Grants Help Fund ‘Great NJ Science Show’ January 29, 2023
  • Meet Our Newest Members, Andy and Deborah Krikun January 29, 2023
  • Struggle over Church-State Separation has Deep Roots in America January 28, 2023
  • I’m Not a Hater, So Why Do I Hate? January 26, 2023

We believe in ethics. We believe in people.

Please believe in us.

Topics

atheism atheist church book review children church-state separation civil rights climate change community compassion death democracy Doris Friedensohn Elizabeth Warren environment Ethical Brew Ethical Culture ethical education ethics family Felix Adler gender global warming happiness healthcare humanism humanist humanists human rights Israel Joseph Chuman meetinghouse Middle East politics racism religion Robert Gulack Secular Humanism social action Socrates Cafe Sunday School technology Trump unemployment world health youth

What We Do For Fun….

There's always time for play: celebrations, discussions (some in Spanish -- find Conversemos on our calendar on the fourth Tuesday of the month), hikes, picnics, cultural outings, and more. Come join us!
Kids get into the act
Diane running the show

Important Links

  • Member of the American Ethical Union
  • Ethical Brew
  • Sanctuary Committee
  • BC Gun Violence Prevention
  • NJ Website Designer
© 2021 | The Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County NJ

Copyright © 2023 · Kreativ Pro On Genesis Framework · The Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County · Log in

  • Calendar of events
  • 687 Larch Av, Teaneck NJ
  • 201-836-5187
  • Contact Us
  • DONATE