One of the founding members of the Franklin Villagers Theatre passes away at age 81.
By: Elaine Worden
To her family and friends, Henrietta Freund Napear was a star.
An inspiration to many around her, Ms. Napear, 81, served as Franklin Township’s chief financial officer for 25 years, and during her tenure she was the first woman to qualify for state certification as a CFO. She was an acclaimed actress and director, and an artist in every sense of the word.
A resident of Rossmoor since 1992, Ms. Napear died at her home on Jan. 9.
"She will be leaving so many people with a hole in their hearts from all walks of life," said Jackie Rubel, of Kendall Park, a friend of Ms. Napear’s for 50 years.
Ms. Napear, or "Henny" as she was known to those close to her, grew up in Highland Park. When she was 12 she became interested in theater, started to study acting and began participating in local theater groups.
Ms. Napear and Ms. Rubel used to get together at least once a month with their group of close friends from the Highland Park area. The group of 10 would visit each other’s homes on a rotating basis, and everyone would bring something to contribute to the meal.
Ms. Rubel described her friend as a wonderful visual artist, who also had a talent for making beautiful collages and baskets.
One of the founders of the Franklin Villagers Theatre in 1960, Ms. Napear’s creativity helped to develop the group’s stellar reputation.
"It was an important factor to most actors who were on stage and knew the workings of the Villagers, when they knew that Henny was watching in the audience," said Donald Aaronson, who held the position of executive vice president of the Villagers for seven years.
Ms. Napear also appeared at the George Street Playhouse, Roosevelt Plays in the Park and many other community theaters throughout New Jersey.
Since moving to Rossmoor, she started giving workshops and was the artistic director for the Rossmoor Players.
Ms. Napear directed most of the Rossmoor Players’ productions about two a year.
Sam Newman of Rossmoor, the players’ resident playwright, said Ms. Napear encouraged everyone she worked with.
During the 10 years he knew Ms. Napear, Mr. Newman said he never saw any bitterness or anger in her and that she was just always a very pleasant woman.
Ms. Napear, who served as a board member for the Arts Foundation of New Jersey, was awarded the Villagers Lifetime Achievement Award on Dec. 31, 2002.
Ms. Napear is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Michele and Lawrence Sacharow; their daughter, Nina Sacharow; a niece, Marilyn Freund; and her two nephews, Stephen and Barry Napear.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at the Mausoleum Chapel at Beth Israel Cemetery in Woodbridge. Arrangements were made by the Crabiel Parkwest Funeral Chapel, 239 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick.
A memorial service will be held in Ms. Napear’s honor Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the Meeting House in Rossmoor.

