Obituary of Rose Marie Van Riper

Rose Marie “Dolly” Van Riper, 89, of Freehold Township, died June 10, 2014 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, where she had been a patient for two days. Known around Applewood Estates for her gracious smile and caring ways, she was also recognized for her attention to detail, especially in regard to her personal appearance. Dolly enjoyed traveling and attending all kinds of social events and dressing for them all. Dolly was born in Morristown, to Walter and Catherine Kutcha, and grew up in Summit. After attending Summit High School, she began work for the Bell System as a telephone operator, which was the start of a whole career in telephone communications. She worked at Bell Labs in Murray Hill and then in Piscataway at A T & T’s Treasury Division, retiring from there as an office supervisor. Dolly was a proud member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty years, Robert R. Van Riper in 1997. Her loving companion later in life, Jack Jordan passed away in 2007. Dolly was also predeceased by her brother, Walter Kutcha in 2009. Surviving are a son Robert R. Van Riper and his wife, Patricia, of New Smyrna Beach, FL; a daughter, Susan E. Koch, of Millville, PA; a granddaughter, Christy Jean Converse and her husband, Seth; grandson, Robert R. Van Riper III; great-grandson, Loki Dziadus; sisters-in-law, Theodora Kutcha and Rose Van Riper, of Toms River; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at Applewood Estates, Freehold Township on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the American Heart Association or CentraState Healthcare Foundation would be appreciated. Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold is in charge of arrangements.