Obituary of Phoebe J. Menter
Phoebe Jane (nee Vasquez) Menter, 85, passed away on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Bridgeway Care and Rehabilitation Center at Bridgewater.
Born in New Brunswick, NJ to the late Louis A. and Ruth R. Vazquez, Phoebe spent her early childhood in Piscataway before the family relocated to Staten Island, and ultimately moving back to Piscataway, where she was a member of the first graduating class of Piscataway High School. As an adult she resided in Middlesex, before settling in Piscataway in 1976.
After high school, Phoebe worked for American Cyanamid in Bound Brook, then held various jobs over the years including selling Avon care products, was a School Crossing Guard, and for Octo Limited in Piscataway. She then began working as a Secretary for the Rutgers Math and Biology Department before retiring after 15 years.
When her children were in school, Phoebe volunteered for the Piscataway High School Music Department and their Superchief Band Parent Organization. She loved painting ceramics and crocheting blankets, but most of all, she loved being with family. Whether it was family gatherings or baking Christmas cookies every year, the moments with her loved ones were the memories she held closest to her heart.
Predeceased by her parents, and sisters, Pat Lee and Ruthie, Phoebe is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Eugene “Bucky” Menter; children, John (John Hoppe) Menter, Mark Menter, and Michelle (Jim) Martucci. She will also be missed by her cherished granddaughter, Sophie Martucci, twin brother, Butchie Vasquez and his wife Buffy; and sister, Betty Ann Marquis, as well as her many nieces and nephews, and a host of extended relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 140 South Finley Avenue, Basking Ridge, NJ, on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 11 AM.
Cremation services were held privately under the direction of the Piscataway Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the Menter Family has requested that donations be made to the Glioblastoma Foundation or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in Phoebe’s name.