Obituary of Doris R. Tephford

Doris R. Tephford, 83, of Freehold Township passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 with her daughters and niece by her side.  She was born and raised in Jamesburg and lived in Howell before settling in Freehold 57 years ago.  Doris was an Avon representative for over 50 years and worked as a telephone operator at CentraState Medical Center.  She spent much of her spare time at the Freehold Senior Center, where she met her two best friends, Marie and Lydia. She also has one last childhood friend, Pearl. An advocate for self-care, Doris enjoyed getting her hair and nails done and going out to eat with friends and family.  She loved television and had a particular passion for soap operas, game shows, and NASCAR, which she watched with her late son, William.  A nurturer to all who knew her, Doris was an amazing cook who prided herself on cooking phenomenal family dinners on Sundays, hosting beautiful holiday celebrations at Christmas, and snuggling her grand-pup, Samantha.

Doris was predeceased by her parents, Freeman and Alice Rue; her beloved husband of 40 years, Francis M. Tephford, Jr; her sons, William F. Rasiewicz and Edward J. Rasiewicz; her sister, Thelma Matthews; and her granddaughter, Rachael Reichenberger.  She is survived by her children, Dawn A. Tephford and her boyfriend, Scott Reiss of Howell and Diana L. Tephford and her fiancé, Thomas Dreyer of Freehold; her grandchildren, Thomas V. Kaznowski, Jr. of Alden, PA, Edward D. Rasiewicz of Freehold Township, Carly Rasiewicz of Concord, CA, Christina Rasiewicz of Ocean Township, and Robert Burgess of Severance, CO; her niece, Donna Jackman of White Oak, PA; and her nephew, Gregg Matthews of Howell. 

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Monday, July 25, 2022 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend her 11:00 AM funeral service on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at the funeral home.  Interment will follow at Old Tennent Cemetery, 454 Tennent Road, Manalapan. For those who desire, memorial contributions in Doris’ name may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33^rd Street, New York, NY 10016 or the Lymphoma Research Foundation, Wall Street Plaza, 88 Pine Street, Suite 2400, New York, NY 10015. For information, directions, or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com