Aranka Elek

Aranka Elek recently passed away at Atlanticare Hospital in Galloway, NJ.  Aranka, fondly known as Babe, was the middle of five children born to Joseph and Aranka Vollmann.  She was a graduate of Perth Amboy High School and worked at J Vollmann Florist, her family’s floral shop.   She was later the proprietor of Babe’s Wicker and Things, a home goods store in South Jersey.  Babe was preceded in death by her mother and father, sister Alice Kasay and sister Carol McKittrick.  She is survived by her sister Joan, her brother Joe, her loving partner Dennis Aquilino, and her three children, Lisa Jordan (Rex), James Elek Jr. and Kimberly Elek (Paul Armstrong), and four grandchildren Alyssa, Abby, Elizabeth and Lachlan.

Babe will be remembered for her thoughtfulness and generosity.  She was a prolific card and letter writer who never missed a chance to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or holiday.  She gave her children the gift of unconditional love, listened without judgement and celebrated their accomplishments.  She was also very proud of her grandchildren.

An avid animal lover, Babe had a tender heart for lost and broken creatures.  She recued many cats, geese, and ducks throughout her life.  Babe was also inherently creative and expressed her artistry in everything she did.  She was an excellent hostess and cook.  Babe was a tireless worker and her immaculate home, always decorated for the holidays, was a social gathering hub where she entertained friends.  Her artistic flair was also manifested through the beautiful blankets she knitted, her fashion sense and stylish attire, her landscaping and floral arranging.  Babe had a green thumb and could grow fruit trees, vegetables, flowers and plants.

She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.