Nan Wollin

Nan was born in Newark, New Jersey on November 20, 1930 to Anna Jaffe, a homemaker, and Sidney Bierman, a lawyer.

She attended Penn State University where she met the love of her life, Harold (Hal) Wollin, who was a fraternity brother of her older brother Herbert. They were married in 1954 at the Military Park Hotel in Newark, NJ. They had two children, Marc and Gaye.

With Hal working in various capacities at Pomeroy’s department store, they put down roots by buying their first home in Levittown PA, and later moved to Willingboro, NJ, then Mt Laurel, NJ. When Hal took a position as a manager at Jordan Marsh in Boston, they moved to Boston for a short while, until they jumped at the chance to return to their preferred New Jersey base, settling in Manalapan.

While Hal (like his father) worked in the retail trade, Nan was a born teacher. While she taught almost every elementary grade, she was most at home as a second-grade teacher. In that capacity she taught countless kids to add, subtract, read and color. After she left full-time teaching she substituted for years, eventually working at the CentraState Health Awareness Center where she taught endless school field trips, and was proud to be named Volunteer of the Month. Whenever she saw a child she would bend down and talk to them, engaging them with a smile and a question, asking them to tell her about whatever was in their hand.

Hal died in 2008 after a two-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease, during which Nan was lovingly devoted to his care. Shortly after she moved to Applewood Senior Community, first in a cottage, then an apartment. Her apartment was in the wing farthest from the in-house Bistro, and what should have been a 10-minute walk always took 20, as she stopped to talk with every person she passed, residents and staff alike. She eventually moved into Applewood’s assisted living center, where she was an active member of the community, winning an award for “Best Red Lipstick.”

She ended every phone call and handwritten note with her personal mantra: Peace, Love and Chocolate.

She is survived by her son Marc (Susan) her daughter Gaye (Steven Werblin), grandchildren Matthew, Dave (Allison), Andrew (Jeanne), Jenna (Matt) and great granddaughter Hadley.

A small private graveside service will be held for immediate family.

Contributions can be made to a charity of your choice, especially ones that focus on children or animals.