Town Clerk Recovering Well from Aneurysm

Late in April, Maplewood Town Clerk Elizabeth Fritzen suffered a bleeding aneurysm on her brain. She was hospitalized at Overlook and underwent emergency surgery. Now back at home in Springfield, Fritzen is receiving daily occupational and physical therapy, and is expected to fully recover with no long-term disabilities.

"I'm lucky to be alive!" Fritzen told Patch, sounding very chipper indeed earlier today. "I had a bad headache and a bad neck ache but I have a high pain tolerance," said Fritzen who has been a volunteer EMT for 36 years. Her stoicism, in this case, was not a good thing: "I waited a good day longer than I should have" before seeking medical treatment.

Fritzen will need more surgery or treatment for additional clots and is not expected to return to work full-time until late in the summer. Nevertheless, she is in almost daily contact with Maddy Smith, The Township deputy clerk, and said she will make appearances at Town Hall this summer. Being idle does not suit Fritzen well: "I haven't taken this much time off in 31 years!"

Fritzen added, "It kills me that I'm out of work. Everyone knows how committed I am to the job."

Still, Town leadership would like her to take it easy. "The Mayor and the Township Committee are all supportive of me taking time," said Fritzen.

That doesn't mean they don't miss her: "A sign of a good manager is that when they are away from their job, their responsibilities are covered smoothly by others," said Vice Mayor Kathy Leventhal. "Liz has a terrific staff that she provides with skills and knowledge—enabling them to provide services during her recovery. That said, we miss her!" Added Deputy Mayor Fred Profeta, "Liz is the face of Maplewood to many of its residents. No one doesn't love Liz."

Mayor Vic DeLuca likewise laments Fritzen's absence: "It is hard to think of Liz as being ill. For years, she has been the center of Town Hall, seeing TC members come and go and even living through at least three administrators. I have relied upon her a great deal during my five years as Mayor. I miss her and can't wait until she is again in her seat at the TC meetings. I know she will come back stronger from this setback." DeLuca could not resist this jab, "Unfortunately, she will still come back a Yankee fan."

Fritzen did stress very much how "touched and humbled" she is by the response from Maplewoodians to her illness. She said she has received more than 200 cards filled with "heartfelt notes" from citizens, groups, clubs and others with whom she has worked over the decades.

Anyone wishing to send cards, baskets or flowers to Fritzen can send them to Town Hall or to her home address at 75 Tooker Avenue, Springfield, NJ 07081.