Obituary of Dorris A. Smith

A Memorial Mass for Dorris Ann Smith will be held Saturday, Sept. 17th at 11:15 at St. Rose of Lima Church, 50 Short Hills Ave., Short Hills. Dorris Smith died peacefully in her home on August 28th. She had lived in Millburn Township for the last 51 years. She had been active in a variety of local organizations throughout her life in Millburn including the Wyoming School PTA . She was a member of St. Rose of Lima Parish and the St. Rose of Lima Ladies Auxiliary. Dorris was also a volunteer teaching assistant – working every Wednesday at St. Anne's School in Newark for over twelve years. She took pride in the relationships she developed with her young students and endeavored to play a supportive role for the children – as well as their parents who were raising families in a community facing a number of meaningful challenges. She was also a devoted fan of tennis and played tennis for decades -- freely conceding that she enjoyed the social aspects of the game far more than the competitive sport. She had a great sense of humor and was blessed with many close friends. Dorris exhibited a stoic resolve to overcome any of the physical adversities which afflicted her throughout her life...with remarkably few complaints. She was born in New York City and raised on Staten Island before moving to Millburn in 1960. She was a graduate of St. Joseph Hill Academy and Notre Dame College/St. Johns University on Staten Island. She worked at AT&T – and was one of the first women hired in a management position at the company -- before leaving to raise a family. Her husband, Ernest E. Smith passed away in 2005; they celebrated their fiftieth anniversary in 1999. She is survived by a daughter, Karen Ness of Norwich, VT; two sons, and Ernie (Chip) Smith of Millburn, NJ and David Smith of Falls Church, VA. In addition she had five grandchildren who brought great joy and happiness into her life: Christian Matz, Courtney and Dylan Ness and Juliane and Brendon Smith. Lastly, she leaves behind her beloved Springer Spaniel, Samantha. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Atlantic Home Care & Hospice in memory of Dorris A. Smith: Atlantic Home Care & Hospice 33 Bleeker Street Millburn, NJ 07041