Former High School Librarian Dies at 98

Eleanor Blaha, formerly of Hazlet, passed away on July 19, according to her obituary on legacy.com.

Blaha, 98, had infantile polio in her leg. Although she recovered, she suffered from post-polio syndrome for the rest of her life, the obituary said.

At 20 years old, Blaha rescued a two-year-old boy who was drowning off the beach in Lavallette, where she also previously lived. Doctors were unable to resuscitate him, according to the obituary.

Blaha moved to Hazlet in 1957 with her husband William Blaha, who she met at a USO-sponsored dance during World War II, and their son David, the obituary said.

She was a librarian at St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel from the time the school opened in 1969 until her retirement in 1979, the obituary said.

A memorial service will not be held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.