Eileen Werbel of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, a former longtime Montclair resident who was active in school district issues, died peacefully at Menno Haven Nursing Center in Chambersburg on Dec. 9, 2022, six days after her 89th birthday.
Originally from New York City, Ms. Werbel moved to Montclair in 1966. In the 1970s, she helped introduce enrichment activities at Edgemont School through the PTA and volunteered for the townwide curriculum committee and several other groups tackling the desegregation of Montclair public schools. Their efforts helped lead to the establishment of the magnet school program in 1977, which continues to this day.
She earned a master’s in social work from New York University in 1958 and worked as a social worker in many clinical settings in New Jersey and New York, including United Way of Northern New Jersey, the Community Service Society, Essex County Hospital Center, University Hospital’s Tuberculosis Center and the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, where she authored a book to help patients and families manage their daily lives.
After retiring in 2001, Ms. Werbel again became active in township affairs, in the League of Women Voters and by volunteering as a tutor at Mount Hebron Middle School, now Buzz Aldrin Middle School.
A talented painter, she took art classes and participated in shows at the Montclair Art Museum and Montclair State University across several decades. She was also a dedicated bridge and mah-jongg player, playing with several groups in and around Montclair.
Ms. Werbel moved to Chambersburg in 2014.
She is survived by her brother, Robert Yasser, of Asbury Park; three daughters, Julie Werbel (Patrick Harding) of Arlington, Virginia, Carolyn Steele (Larry) of Chambersburg and Diana Shaw (Ian) of London, England, and five grandchildren, ranging in age from 6 to 26, in whom she found great joy.
She was predeceased by her husband, Lawrence Werbel.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Menno Haven Benevolent Fund, 2011 Scotland Ave., Chambersburg, PA 17201, development@mennohaven.org, 717-262-1019.
Arrangements were by Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Chambersburg.