Obituary of Doris Marie Rapp

Doris M. Woolley Rapp, 82, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, December 31, 2021. She was a lifelong resident of Howell and later in life a part time resident of Lakewood Ranch, Florida. After graduating from Lakewood High School, she went on to become the first in her family to earn a Bachelor of Arts, graduating from Thomas Edison College.

Doris was the first lady sod grower in New Jersey as owner and operator of Rapp Sod Farms in Farmingdale, with her daughter working by her side, retiring in 2003. Prior to that she was a Probation Investigator for the Monmouth County Probation Department.

Doris was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Farmingdale. Doris was the first female President of the Cultivated Sod Association of New Jersey. She was also a past President and Region Chair of the Howell Lions Club.

Doris was a loving wife, mother and doting grandmother. She loved to travel abroad and spend time with her family and friends. Her admirable strengths of love and devotion to her family and those she loved were one of her most exquisite qualities. Those who knew her are forever touched by her and will be eternally blessed.

Being the 9th of 10 children, she was predeceased by her husband William D. Rapp in 1982; her parents, Robert and Marjorie Woolley; four brothers, Calvin, Robert Jr., Norman, and Kenneth Woolley Sr.; four sisters, Virginia Shibla, Wanda Carlson, Annaka Mandel. and Jane Horner.

She is survived by her husband of 27 years, Harry Brion; her daughter, Patricia Pilecki of Howell; her son, William Estelle and his wife Rowena of Freehold; a son, Dr. Paul Brion and his wife, Sonja of San Marcos, CA; a daughter, Emily Grindstaff of Johnson City, TN; grandchildren, Kristen Pilecki Russell and her husband Kelsey, Brandon Pilecki, Aaron Grindstaff, Katja, Maya, and Claudia Brion; two great grandchildren; and her brother, Charles “Shorty” Woolley of Howell.

A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Thursday, January 6, 2022 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend her 11:00 AM funeral service at the funeral home on Friday, January 7, 2022. Interment will follow in Monmouth Memorial Park, Tinton Falls.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Squankum United Methodist Church, 45 Old Tavern Road, Howell, New Jersey 07731. For information, directions, or to leave condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.