Posted by the Asbury Park Press December 7, 2012

Elsie Eunice Brett McIlray, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Elsie, of Scottsdale, AZ was born in Middletown, NJ on Dec. 15, 1919 to the late Herbert John Brett and Minnie Morris Brett. She died in Scottsdale on Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. She was raised in Middletown, and graduated from Middletown High School in 1937. In 1940, she moved to Fair Haven, NJ where she met her husband, Jesse J. McIlray. They were married in 1942. After 53 years of marriage, Jesse died in 1995. While still living in NJ, Elsie was Assistant Borough Administrator for Fair Haven from 1965 until 1977. Elsie and Jesse then moved to Arizona in 1977, first living in Mesa, and then Scottsdale.

Besides her husband and parents, Elsie was predeceased by two brothers, a sister, a nephew, and a niece. She is survived by her son, John F. McIlray of Scottsdale, with whom she made her home; a daughter, Susan Linda McIlray Hudson and her husband Eddy Dean Hudson of Phoenix; a niece and four nephews.

A memorial service will be held at St. James the Apostle Episcopal Church, 975 E. Warner Rd., Tempe, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, which would have been Elsie's 93rd birthday. Interment will be in April at Fairview Cemetery, Middletown, NJ. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Hospice of the Valley , 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014, who took wonderful care of Elsie in her final days. Messinger Indian School Mortuary handled arrangements. Published in Asbury Park Press on December 7, 2012