Shirley J. (Pittenger) Vitz, age 90, formerly of Green Township, New Jersey passed away peacefully on Monday December 11, 2023 with her family by her side at the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for hospice in Fredon, New Jersey.
Shirley was born on June 18, 1933 in Stillwater, New Jersey to the late Lewis and Edna Irene Pittenger. She graduated from Newton High School in 1952, and went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1975. Shirley worked for the Green Township School District for a few years before dedicating 33 years as a preschool teacher for Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Shirley married the late Robert P. Vitz on September 4, 1954 and together they made their cherished home on Pequest Road in Green Township. Shirley was an active member of the Tranquility United Methodist Church, YAGS, and the Newton Junior Women’s Club.
Shirley is survived by her two children: Paul T. Vitz and his wife Helen of Hawley, Pa., and Susan E. Snook and her husband Donald of Hampton Twp, NJ; her eight grandchildren: Timothy Snook of Hampton Twp, NJ, Christopher Snook and his wife Kara of Concord, NH, Kacey (Snook) Gallagher and her husband Patrick of Fredon, NJ, Thomas Vitz and his wife Lisa of Greeley, PA, and Renee Vitz of Hawley, PA; her two step-granddaughters: Erin Bringhurst of Moscow, PA and Amanda Villani and her husband Adam of Olympia, WA; her sister Mary VanAuken of Hamilton, NY; 6 great-grandchildren, 5 step great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter. Shirley was predeceased by her husband Robert P. who passed away in 2007; her four siblings Lewis Pittenger Jr. (1950), Harold (Hick) Pittenger (2000), Marjorie Lantz (2019) and Mildred Mickalauskas (2015) and her grandson, Robert L. Vitz (2005).
A visitation for Shirley will be held Saturday, December 16, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Tranquility United Methodist Church, 5 Kennedy Rd, Green Township, NJ 07821, with a funeral service at 11 a.m. followed by burial at Tranquility Cemetery, 19 Maple Lane Rd. Green Township, NJ 07821.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to Tranquility United Methodist Church, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy to Shirley's family may be shared below.
