NJ Woman Was Mr. Rogers' Actual Neighbor; Dies In Westfield At 95

WESTFIELD, NJ — Teacher and philanthropist Marilyn "Lynn" Kolterjahn has accomplished much in her 95 years of life, but there's one passage in her obituary that may spark interest outside her hometowns of Westfield, NJ and Derry, PA: She was childhood friends with TV personality Fred "Mr." Rogers, with whom she attended church in Pennsylvania on Sundays.

According to her obituary, Kolterjahn grew up in Derry, Pa., and moved to Westfield in 1954, after she got married.

"She had a wonderful childhood and was a good student while learning to play both the piano and organ," says her obituary. "Her Aunt Martha introduced Lynn to Fred Rogers, a neighbor, and Lynn spent many enjoyable Sundays going to church with her childhood friend. Her teenage years were spent in Christian Endeavor and youth choirs."

After she and husband Paul moved to Westfield, she taught elementary school in North Jersey and sent her kids to the Westfield schools. As president of the Edison Intermediate School PTA, she helped prepare parents for the opening of the new Tamaques Elementary School. She was involved in hospital volunteer work and local causes and boards, including the Westfield Library.

A Memorial Service will be held at The Presbyterian Church in Westfield on Sept. 11 at 11 a.m., with a "festive reception" for all afterward. Read more of her obituary on NJ.com here.

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