Alice Ann Eklund

Alice Ann Gerard Eklund, 85, of Graham passed away peacefully on Thursday October 22, 2026 in Graham, Texas. A memorial mass celebrating her life will be held at a later date in her home state of New Jersey.

Alice was born August 29, 1941 in Newark, New Jersey to the late Mary Alice (O’Neil) Gerard and William Gerard of Fairfield, New Jersey. She married the love of her life Ronald Harry Eklund on June 30, 1973 in Fairfield, New Jersey. Together they built a life centered on family, hard work, and cherished traditions. Ronald preceded her in death on May 26, 2010.

Alice was a graduate of Grover Cleveland Highschool (1959) and continued her education at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics in 1973. This notable achievement reflected her intelligence, determination and strong work ethic. Before graduating Rutgers, she began her 50 year long career as the Office Manager for Johnson Scale Company in Fairfield New Jersey where she met and then married Ronald. Alice and Ronald raised two daughters, Jennifer and Patricia, in West Caldwell, New Jersey, where they created countless wonderful memories. Alice moved to Somerset, New Jersey to be closer to her only sister Ellen in 2010. In February of 2025 Alice relocated to Graham, Texas, to be with her family.

Deeply devoted to her family, Alice spent her summers camping at Lake George, New York (among her happiest memories), hiking the Delaware Water Gap, and sightseeing around the country. She also enjoyed skiing with Ron in Vermont, gardening at home, reading, and having friendly, oftentimes passionate political debates with family. She especially enjoyed shopping trips and ice cream outings with Ellen at the Jersey Shore, moments that reflected the close bond they shared. She had a lifelong love of dogs, all things chocolate, and vanilla ice cream. Above all, Alice treasured spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren Gina and Joseph. Nothing brought her greater happiness than being surrounded by her children and grandchildren, whose lives were the center of her world. She will be remembered as a devoted mother, wife and grandmother who always put her family first. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched and in the treasured memories shared by those who loved her.

Survivors include: her daughters Jennifer Lynn Leyman and her husband Samuel of Mullica Hill, New Jersey, and Patricia Ellen Pugliese and her husband Neil of Graham; her beloved grandchildren Gina Lee Pugliese and Joseph Ronald Pugliese of Graham; and her brother-in-law, John Galat of Somerset, NJ.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents, William and Mary Alice Gerard; her husband, Ronald; and her beloved sister Ellen Mae Galat.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.