Obituary of Tara D. Friel

Tara (Collins) Friel, 73, of Cedarville passed away on Monday, November 25, 2024 at Inspira Medical Center in Vineland. Tara was born March 14, 1951 in Woodbury to the late John J. Collins and Katharina Rüffer Collins. She was raised in Sewell and graduated from Clearview High School in 1969 and Immaculata College in 1973. Tara was a beloved elementary school teacher for more than three decades, at Immaculate Conception Regional School; Notre Dame Regional School; and Edgarton Christian Academy, all in southern New Jersey. Tara was generous in every way; she relished in cheering on her husband, children and grandchildren at various sporting events, graduations, musical performances, and art shows, as well as celebrating the life milestones of her large extended family and friends. Tara was also very active in the church as a longtime choir member and organist, most recently at St. Michael’s, Parish of the Holy Cross, in Cedarville. She took this ministry seriously. In addition to attending liturgical music conferences, she took care to ensure the hymns chosen closely aligned with the readings in the Mass, which brought alive the Mass experience for many in the congregation. In her scant free time, Tara enjoyed rooting for the Phillies; summer days in Cape May; but above all, spending time with family. Holiday dinners were not complete without a post-dessert game of Trivial Pursuit, Scrabble, or any board game from her vast collection. The more laughter and enjoyment of everyone involved, the more successful the game. Tara was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Daniel Collins. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Michael Friel; sons Brian (Cindy Seto-Friel) of Dover, DE and Sean (Jenn Veale) of Vineland; and daughter Erin (Ralph Garboushian) of Washington, DC; grandsons Collin, Nathan, and Elijah; sisters Mary Ann Collins of Philadelphia and Stephanie Collins of Alexandria, VA; and several nieces and nephews and other extended family members and treasured friends. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 4th from 5 PM to 7 PM at the Padgett Funeral Home, 1107 State Hwy 77, Upper Deerfield Twp. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, December 5th at 10 AM at St. Michael’s, Parish of the Holy Cross, 367 Main Street, Cedarville. Inurnment will be private following the Mass. Written condolences can be sent to the family through the funeral home website, www.padgettfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Edgarton Christian Academy.