Doris Burton Genton's Obituary
Doris Genton passed away peacefully at home on December 2, 2018, surrounded by her loving family.
Born October 2, 1926 in New York City to Louis and Edith (Korony) Hachenberg, Doris, the youngest of three daughters, had an idyllic childhood growing up in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey.
She shared a close and loving relationship with her sisters, Nancy and Ruth, and friends in the De-Sa-La-Hack club performing plays, dancing, and selling lemonade; she had fond memories of swimming, sunbathing, and playing sports with family and friends during summer vacations in Edgewater, NY.
A 1944 graduate of Wood-Ridge High School, Doris was the first drum majorette in school history. She used to tell people she got the job because she could fit into the uniform! We know it was because she was a natural born leader – and she could keep the beat! She was an excellent student who participated in many clubs and activities.
Following high school, Doris graduated from Trenton State Teacher's College with a Bachelor’s degree in physical education. She taught at the Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia until the birth of her first child.
Doris married Alfred Genton, also from Wood-Ridge, in 1949. They lived in Cliffside Park, NJ during the early years of their marriage. They moved back to Wood-Ridge in 1957, to Innes Road – the same street on which they had both grown up. Doris lived on Innes Road for all but eight years of her life.
Doris was a “stay at home mom,” but did not always stay at home. While Al worked in insurance, went to law school, later opened a law practice in Wood-Ridge, and served in the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and state law enforcement agencies, Doris became very involved in Wood-Ridge clubs and activities.
She was an active member and president of the Wood-Ridge Women's Club and Chairman of its Evening Membership Department (EMD), helping to organize and lead many worthwhile volunteer activities and fundraising efforts to benefit the community. Many will fondly remember the "Luncheon with Santa" hosted each year by the EMD. Through the years, hundreds of children thrilled to an afternoon spent munching on mini sandwiches, singing Christmas carols, dancing and whispering in Santa's ear what they wanted for Christmas.
She was a troop leader for Brownies, Cadettes and Senior Girl Scouts for many years, served as Town Chairman, and participated on county advisory committees to help strengthen scouting for future generations of Girl Scouts. She was an active member of the Friends of the Wood-Ridge Library; a PTA vice-president, program chair and class mother; a member of the Wood-Ridge Historical Society; and a member of the Wood-Ridge 100th Anniversary Committee. She served on the Wood-Ridge Memorial Scholarship Committee, which raised funds and awarded scholarships to deserving, graduating high school seniors and was an English-as-a-Second-Language tutor.
Doris was a life-long member of the Wood-Ridge First Presbyterian Church, where for many years she sang in the choir, filled in as pianist when needed and was a director of the summer Vacation Bible School. She was president of the United Presbyterian Women and was instrumental in organizing and running the annual Holiday Bazaar and Strawberry festival. She was also a member of the Christian Fellowship Club; Borough residents will remember that the Club produced and distributed the yearly Wood-Ridge telephone book to all residents and businesses.
Doris was a loving and supportive mother who faithfully attended – and cheered on her children at – all of their sporting events, plays, concerts and other activities.
But what Doris enjoyed most was spending time with family. She traveled frequently to visit with her three children and their families – and especially her six grandchildren. She loved hosting holiday parties and dinners. Her home was the focal point for Thanksgiving, family reunions and many other family gatherings. She was an avid gardener and quilter and enjoyed playing the piano and leading family sing-a-longs. In her later years, she enjoyed taking long walks around the town where she had spent almost her entire life. She will be remembered as a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend.
Doris was predeceased by her parents, her husband Alfred, her sisters Ruth (and Maxim) Bugzester and Nancy (and Malcolm) Macdonald, and her brother-in-law Robert (and Robbie) Genton. Doris is survived by her loving children Barbara (Ward) Johnson, Carol (Jim) Livingstone, and Thomas (Sarah) Genton, and her grandchildren Mark, Daniel, Brian, Scott (Chelsea), Katharine (Andrew) and Kristen and her sister-in-law, Averil Genton. She will also be missed by her nieces and nephews (the Macdonalds and Bugzesters), relatives and friends, her devoted caregivers and all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to:
“The Alzheimer's Association” (alz.org), Greater New Jersey Chapter, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011;
“Valley Hospice” (www.valleyhospice.com): c/o Valley Hospital Foundation, 223 N. Van Dien Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450; or
The charity of your choice.
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