Obituaries

Sarah Jane Valenti (nee Landis), age 94 of Wayside, NJ passed away on January 17, 2024 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ.

She was predeceased by her husband, Samuel Valenti, and beloved daughter-in-law, Angela Valenti.

Lillian Ross Lauer passed away peacefully on January 20 at the age of 93, amidst her loving family and close friends. Lilly was the second oldest in what was to become a family of 10 children. The wonderful memories she had of growing up in Ashland Pa. with her beloved 4 brothers and 5 sisters sustained her till her end of days. Lilly and her sister Isabelle were 6 and 5 years old when their father, Tom Ross (former band leader and choir director at St. Joes in Ashland) coached them to perform Silent Night – soprano and alto, at Christmas Eve Midnight mass for the congregation. That was the beginning of a joyful mindset that Lilly thrived under until very recently. There was always music in their home. In the following years, with tight three-part harmonies, Lilly, Hellen Marie and Isabel were The Ross Sisters, performing semi-professionally on local radio through their late teens and early twenties until a handsome young Jack Lauer came along and caught her attention. At a little ice cream parlor called Candyland in their home town, there was a juke box. It was there that Lilly and Jack danced their way into each other’s hearts and remained quite the Fred and Ginger for nearly 60 years.

Nancy passed away peaceful in her sleep Monday morning, January 15, 2024.  She was a Fair Haven resident for over 50 years.  Her smiling face, bright pink lipstick, and quiet demeanor was known by many.  She worked at Mainstay Federal Savings & Loan in Red Bank for many years and First Atlantic Credit Union at Fort Monmouth at the time of her retirement.  She was a member of the Christ Church United Methodist in Fair Haven.

She enjoyed reading the local newspaper every day, tending to her garden and many houseplants and shopping excursions. She loved most being at home with her cat, Buffy and having family and friends pop in the back door for a friendly visit.  Her home hosted many family gatherings over the years. 

James (Sandy) Vollmer Hazlett lll, 72, of Leesburg, FL passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 15, 2023.

Sandy was born on February 20, 1951 in Germantown Pennsylvania, to James and Helen Hazlett. Sandy attended St Andrew's School, Delaware and went on to graduate from Spring Garden College Pennsylvania in engineering. He served 6 years in the United States Navy.

Patricia “Pat” Doerr (nee Reynolds) passed peacefully at home on January 10, 2024 following a battle with dementia and related illnesses. She was 84 years old.

Pat was born and raised in the Inwood section of Manhattan. As a child she gave the nuns a run for their money at a few different Catholic schools in New York City. Following her graduation from high school and secretarial school, she worked as a secretary for Standard Oil in Rockefeller Center before moving to Elizabeth, New Jersey to start a family with her husband of 58 years, Robert “Bob” Doerr.

Pat and Bob relocated to Middletown, New Jersey in 1973 and planted lifelong roots in the Sunken City neighborhood (IYKYK) where they have lived for 50 years. They met a group of friends in Sunken City that became family. They grew their families together; watched their children fly the coop, marry and have their own children together; mourned their losses together; and, most importantly, partied like rock stars together the whole way through.

Betty D. Hansen of Little Silver, NJ peacefully passed away on January 8, 2024 at the age of 107.

Born in Red Bank, Betty lived all her life in Little Silver and she was a life long member of the United Methodist Church of Red Bank.

Betty was a 1937 graduate of Trenton State Teachers College, and for more than 20 years, was a school teacher at Little Silver's Markham Place School. Betty and her husband Carl Hansen were married for over 60 years and had two sons.

JoAnn was born on October 7, 1936 and passed away peacefully on November 25, 2023, knowing her loving family was by her side offering her love and comfort in her final days. JoAnn was a lifelong resident of Southern and Central California, only briefly residing in Red Bank, NJ.

JoAnn was born and raised in South Pasadena, CA. The oldest of six children and the last one to leave this earth.   JoAnn had a variety of careers, from the medical field to interior design. She continued working until she was 80 years old. She owned and operated a clothing boutique prior to retiring to Paso Robles, CA. Once in Paso Robles, CA she continued part-time work in interior design as well as the beauty industry. She had a larger-than-life personality and lit up every room with her storytelling skills. She was an amazing country cook, a self-proclaimed foodie, a sports enthusiast and a fan of rock n roll. It wasn’t uncommon to have lunch with her and start talking about what she was whipping up for dinner. She was a lover of high fashion and was known for her sense of style, flaming red hair, perfectly put together outfits and was never seen without lipstick.