Brenda Dalrymple
Brenda Dalrymple, 81, of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at home on October 2, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of friendship, warmth, and love that never fades.
She had an ageless charm; elegant, magnetic, and entirely her own. She could walk into a room full of strangers and walk out with a dozen new friends. Her wit was quick, her smile unforgettable, and her sense of fun irresistible.
Brenda grew up in High Bridge, New Jersey, and cherished her many lifelong high school friends. She made her home in Phillipsburg with her ex-husband, Richard Dalrymple, where she raised three children and where her welcoming spirit turned neighbors into lasting companions. She served on the PTA and School Board, and when she saw a need, she helped found the first Phillipsburg Girls Softball League, serving as both President and Coach for several years. Although her marriage with Richard ended, their friendship endured.
Brenda found joy in creating a lively home. She was the friend who connected people, built community, and made everyone feel they belonged. That same gift made her an outstanding real estate agent, where colleagues and clients alike often became close friends. She hosted foreign exchange students, and served as a house mother for the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority at Rutgers University.
She traveled widely, often with her daughters, and her grandchildren were the loves of her life. She celebrated every milestone, cheered every performance, and opened her heart to their friends as if they were her own. They will remember her as“Nana”with the ruby-red nails, bright jewelry to match her even brighter wardrobe, strawberry wafer cookies, and amazing soup. Brenda loved good stories, good books, and a glass of wine shared with those she loved most. She adored Florida’s sunshine and flamingos, collecting them wherever she went — playful, colorful symbols of the joy she carried through life.
She is survived by her loving children David, Dawn, and Debra Dalrymple, her former husband Richard Dalrymple, and her cherished grandchildren Eric Deery, Daniel Pantuso, Christina and Julia Dalrymple, and Liberty and Benjamin Kleinfeldt. She was predeceased by her mother, Mary Principati, her brother, Barry, her grandson, Matthew Deery, and her daughter-in-law Sharon Dalrymple.
Her family finds peace knowing she is reunited with those she loved so deeply — dancing, smiling, and watching over them with the same beautiful soul that defined her life.
A calling hour will be held on Saturday, October 11th, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the Finegan Funeral Home at 302 Heckman Street in Phillipsburg with a Memorial Service beginning at the funeral home at 11:00 am. Visit www.fineganfh.com.