Fritz, Delia Vail – Cochran Funeral

On Monday, November 27, 2023, Delia Vail Fritz passed peacefully in her sleep at her home in Flanders, New Jersey. Delia was the best grandmother in the entire world (no exaggeration), an avid flyfisher, a teacher of all things, and just generally amazing.

Delia was born in Princeton, New Jersey to Katherine Cummer Vail and Herman Lansing Vail, Jr. She was raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio, attended Hathaway Brown School and Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. After she graduated from college, she moved to Hackettstown, NJ for her first teaching job at the American Christian School. In Hackettstown, Delia met and married her husband of 25 years, Mervin L. Fritz. Delia was a natural-born teacher. She cherished sharing her love of history and learning with her students. Delia taught many years within the Hackettstown school system with the most years at the Hackettstown Middle School. Delia also managed the pool at Centenary University and the Hackettstown Community Pool. Delia was an active member of Emmanuel Bible Church and served on a number of committees throughout her life including the Hackettstown Historic Preservation Commission, the PTA, and Schooley’s Mountain Kennel Club.

If you knew Delia, you’d know her passion was fly fishing. Delia was a member of a trout club in Michigan and has taught family and friends how to fly fish. She enjoyed trips to Yellowstone and the Bahamas for fishing expeditions and her happiest days were spent on the stream. She volunteered her time with Casting for Recovery, an organization promoting fly fishing with women who are recovering from breast cancer.

While Delia grew up in Shaker Heights, she spent summers with her family at Columbus Beach Club in Indian River, Michigan. She lived for packing the car and driving to Michigan to smell the sweetgrass, watch the sunsets over the lake in the evenings, fish the streams, and sit on the porch with friends while she tied her own flies. Her friends in Michigan became her chosen family throughout her life and she will be missed dearly.

Delia’s greatest love was her grandchildren. Everyone who knew her, probably knew the most about her two beautiful grandchildren. Delia will be missed by her daughter Delia “Lia” Fritz Carruthers (Christopher L. Carruthers), granddaughters Vail Carruthers and Scout Carruthers, brother Robert Lansing Vail (Lynn Vail), and nieces Kristen Vail Connell (Jesse Connell) and Victoria Vail. She was predeceased by her husband Mervin Laten Fritz, her sister Marienne Vail McCausland, and her parents Katherine Cummer Vail and Herman Lansing Vail, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Little Traverse Conservancy (https://landtrust.org/memorial-or-honorarium/donation-form-memorial/) or Casting for Recovery http://weblink.donorperfect.com/nj.

A visitation will be held at Cochran Funeral Home on Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 4:00 PM-7:30 PM with the memorial service immediately following at 7:30 PM.

For those wishing to leave online condolences, please visit www.cochranfuneral.com

10 Condolences for Fritz, Delia Vail

Condolences(10)

Peg Sheldon Russack says

November 29, 2023 at 5:39 pm

Dear Lia, Chris and family, so sorry to read about Delia’s passing. We are thinking of you.

Doug and Peg Sheldon Russack

The Curcio Family says

November 29, 2023 at 6:12 pm

Dear Lia and Family, Delia’s bright light continues to shine and her love is so complete and so full watching over all of you, continuing to enjoy all of you. I enjoyed the small moments with her and admired her zest. Little bits of her forever lives on in all of you. She is resting in peace. Much love and support to you all xo

Regina Cannizzaro says

November 29, 2023 at 6:41 pm

We are very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

John and Regina Cannizzaro

Wiley Patterson says

November 29, 2023 at 7:07 pm

I’m so sorry to hear this. She seemed so happy in August. I will miss her like all the great people from CBC. So many are leaving us.

Chris Steward says

November 29, 2023 at 10:54 pm

Dear Lia and family, I was so sorry to hear of Delia’s passing. She will be sorely missed at Columbus Beach; especially by me. It isn’t often that I can find someone who shares my passion for both fly-fishing and Liberty puzzles.

Sharon & Pat Housel (Florida) says

November 29, 2023 at 11:32 pm

Dear Lia & all the others whom hearts were sadly touched by the loss of your loved one. We truly are saddened to hear of your loss.

Heather Craven says

November 30, 2023 at 7:41 pm

Delia sounds like a wonderful lady, and I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of your family with sympathy and “holding you in the light.”

Alex & Diane Ostrow says

December 2, 2023 at 3:58 am

Dear Lia & family
Heartfelt condolences on dear Delia’s passing. We had the blessing of meeting her at EBC and then getting to know her better through our shepherding group. She was so joyful when she spoke of you – you could just feel the love she had for all of you. She will be sorely missed. Praying that God will comfort and carry you all through this time of loss.
In Christ,
Alex & Diane Ostrow

Gene Cottrell says

December 6, 2023 at 5:24 am

I had only know Delia for a few years. We were both residents In Regency at Flanders. When I first met her we exchanged greeting as I was walking past while she was retrieving her mail. We talked for a while, and discovered we had flyfishing and a general love for the out doors. We took many walks around the development, talking the whole way about fishing, Michigan, family and life. I’m going to miss her joyful attitude and offer condo0lences to her family and good friends that helped her get to Michigan every year.

Michael Palko Sr says

January 1, 2024 at 3:40 am

Dear Lia and Family,

Patty, I and our sons send our deepest condolences to you. Michael and James remember fondly working at HC Pool when mom was the manager. Patty and I, as her colleagues, respected Dee’s passion for the kids under her tutelage.
A fun, caring, talented and loyal friend- Dee will be missed but never forgotten.

Love,
Mike, Patty, Michael and James.

Fritz, Delia Vail June 9, 1947 - November 27, 2023