Doris J. Smith

Born on a farmhouse in South Plainfield, NJ this "Jersey Girl" graduated from Mt. St. Mary's Academy in Watchung, concentrating in business skills and adding Spanish as her third fluent language, in addition to Italian and English. With her proficiency in shorthand, master typist, and smooth professional manner, Doris rose quickly from steno pool to Executive Secretary for the General Manager at Steinbach's flagship store in Asbury Park, to her final career move as Executive Assistant to the CEO of Toms River Chemical. She met the love of her life, her husband Donald, in 1953 while he was stationed at nearby Fort Dix and they were married in 1954. Doris settled in Ocean County where she continued working while husband Donald completed engineering school, eventually retiring to motherhood and happy homemaker for over 70 years.

To avoid becoming a "golf widow" Doris took up the sport and enjoyed traveling the world with her favorite partner, her husband Donald. They’ve played courses from Pebble Beach to Pinehurst to Casa De Campo.

Known for her excellent cooking, Doris hosted Sunday dinners for the family for many years, serving heaping dishes of macaroni, meatballs and braciola. Her jalapeno cornbread was legendary.

Doris was a longtime communicant and member of the Visitation Parish, and the Rosary Altar Society.

Doris was predeceased by her loving husband (her "honey") of 60 years, Donald, as well as her parents, John and Mary Russo, brother Jack Russo, sister Maryann Wright and granddaughters Mary Elizabeth DeLuca and Alycia Marie Brune.

Surviving are two sons, Lee of Lakewood and Mark of Long Branch, and daughter Lisa DeLuca of Toms River; 8 grandchildren, Brian, Lauren, Erica, Teresa, Nolan, Joseph, Courtney and Catherine; 10 great grandchildren, Emily, Sarah, Matthew, Hannah, Michael, Caleb, Madison, Armani, Brielle and Adalia.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday April 10 at 9:30 AM at Church of the Visitation, Brick N.J. Entombment will follow at Ocean County Memorial Park, Toms River.

Friends may call at D'Elia Funeral Home, 1300 Vermont Avenue, Lakewood on Friday, April 9 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. For more information and to post a tribute online, please visit www.deliafuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Doris name to Society of the Little Flower, 1313 N Frontage Rd, Darien, IL 60561.