Ida ""Babe"" Emery, 89, of Manalapan, formerly of New Egypt, died peacefully on Monday, December 8th at CentraState Medical Center. Born in Litchfield, Illinois, she resided most of her life in New Egypt, NJ. Ida and her late husband, Raymond, founded and farmed Emery's Blueberry Farm, a shore route landmark, for over 40 years. Together they cultivated and developed new varieties of the New Jersey blueberry and later ran an active and popular ""pick-your-own"" farm. Ida spent the last four years residing at the Chelsea at Manalapan Assisted Living, where she enjoyed Bingo, Tabasco and many friends.

Preceded in death by her parents, John and Ida Kotan; her husband Raymond Emery and four siblings; she is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, David R. and Donna Emery of Wilmington, NC; her daughter and son-in-law, Clara L. and William M. Nurko of Millstone Twp., NJ; her grandchildren, Josh Emery of New York City, Joel Emery of New York City, Christina Esandrio and her husband Richard of Monroe Twp., NJ and Patricia Hulick and her husband Kevin of North Hanover, NJ. She was the cherished great grandmother of Graciella Esandrio, Kali Anne Esandrio and Sean William Hulick who will miss their ""Mom-Mom Babe"".

A memorial service will be held 1:30pm Wednesday December 10th at the Peppler Funeral Home, 114 S. Main St. Allentown. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ida's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, Central NJ Regional Office, 400 Morris Ave. Suite 251, Denville, NJ 07834.