Melba Sweetman

Melba Louise (Greene) Sweetman, 82, of Hamburg, and formerly of Wyckoff, passed away on Monday, January 26, 2026.

Born in Corpus Christi, TX, to Margaret Stumborg (1920-1997) and James Carl Greene Sr. (1910-1988), Melba grew up in Jacksonville, IL with her brother Carl, and sisters Tracey and Nancy. She was an active member of the Girl Scouts, 4H, and the Jacksonville High School Marching & Concert Bands. She met her husband, Bernard Sweetman Sr, in Corpus Christi while she was attending Del Mar College. After marrying, they moved to New Jersey in 1964, settling in Clifton, where Melba dedicated herself to various community roles. She served as a Cub Scout Leader, Assistant Leader for Clifton Boy Scout Troop 3, Director of Boy Scout Leaders of Passaic County, and Director of Round Table for Passaic County Boy Scout Leaders. She also worked as a Teacher Aid at Clifton Elementary School 3, and chaired fundraising efforts for Clifton PTO Schools 3 & 11.

In 1979, Melba and her family moved to Wyckoff, where she became a cherished member of the community. She joined The Wyckoff Reformed Church on Palm Sunday in 1983, where she served as a Deacon and Ladies Aid President. She was also a member of the Children’s Committee, and Adult Education & Outreach Committee at the church. For 17 years, she volunteered with Ramapo High School Music Parents. Melba owned the Wyckoff Town Tots Day Care for 16 years and later worked as an office manager at Campmor Corporate Headquarters in Mahwah for over 21 years.

Melba was vibrant and adventurous. Her hobbies included traveling with her family, genealogy, and being a life-long Disney fan. She loved all things British, especially Downton Abbey and High Tea. She loved visiting Chicago, New York, and cruising the high seas. She enjoyed attending Broadway shows, family reunions in Illinois, and seeing her brother James Roland Greene, and her sister Tracey in Texas.

Melba was a long-time resident of Wyckoff for over 43 years. She is survived by her sons: Bernard (Lisa) Sweetman Jr. of Ramsey, NJ; Douglas Sweetman of Cornelius, NC; and Jason (Sandy) Sweetman of Neversink, NY, along with her six grandchildren; Bernard, Sara, Madison, Kaitlyn, Julia, and Abigail. As a great-great aunt Melba leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Bernard in 2001, and her brother James Carl Greene Jr. in 2016.

Visiting hours will be held from 2:00 to 5:00 pm on Sunday at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, www.vpfh.com, 257 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff, NJ. The funeral service will take place at 11:00 am on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Wyckoff Reformed Church, 580 Wyckoff Ave, Wyckoff, NJ 07481, with interment to follow at the Wyckoff Reformed Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Melba’s memory can be made to The Wyckoff Reformed Church and the American Cancer Society.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Melba Sweetman, please visit our Tree Store.