Obituaries
Former St. Benedict's Teacher Cornelia Altier Dies at 81
Cornelia worked at the Trinity School in New Rochelle, St. Benedicts in Holmdel, in the Long Branch School System and volunteered with children in Red Bank.
Cornelia Jane Altier, 81, of Shrewsbury, formerly of Lincroft, Red Bank and Matawan, died peacefully Monday, April 29, 2013, at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank. Cornelia was born in Queens, NY to Peter and Mabel Buchanan Johnston. She attended Our Lady of Mercy Academy in Syosset, NY.
She then went on to earn her BA in English from the College of New Rochelle. At the age of 68, Cornelia was one of the oldest recipients of a heart transplant. The donated heart continued for 14 years, a courageous journey for science.
She enjoyed her family and friends, travel and good food. She was happily employed as a Red Bank YMCA director, an antique business owner, and as a librarian at the Red Bank Public Library.
Her favorite job was teaching; she worked at the Trinity School in New Rochelle, St. Benedicts in Holmdel, in the Long Branch School System and volunteered with children in Red Bank.
Cornelia was predeceased by her parents, in 1979; by her son, Robert C. Altier; and by her cousin, Nancy Burns. She is survived by her children, JP of Madison, David of Shrewsbury, Christopher and his partner of 23 years, Marco Hoyle of Boulder, CO and Susan of Prospect Lake; grandchildren, Robert, Connor and William of Madison; and her former husband, Joseph Altier Sr. of Venice, FL.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 3 at the John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Ave., Red Bank. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday, May 4 at St. Anthony's R.C. Church, Red Bank. Interment will follow at Fair View Cemetery in Middletown.
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A reception lunch will follow at the Thornbrooke Clubhouse, 200 Thornbrooke Drive, Shrewsbury. Memorial contributions in Cornelia's name may be made to The Center in Asbury Park, 806 Third Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712. Please visit Cornelia's memorial website available at www.johnedayfuneralhome.com.
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