Doris K. (Weinrich) Gentile passed away on July 11, 2020 in Peabody, MA, after several years of declining health.
She is predeceased by her husband Joseph R. Gentile of Little Egg Harbor, NJ. No matter where Doris lived throughout her life, she was proud to say that she was born in Queens NY to her parents Freida (Von der Linden) Schirmer Weinrich and Joseph Weinrich.
Her favorite childhood memories were of going to the movies every Saturday with her mother and attending Broadway shows. Her father instilled a lifelong love of animals with all the pets that were part of their family.
Doris loved the beach and her “happy place” was Montauk on Long Island. She met her husband Joe when they both worked at Phillips. Joe and Doris were married in 1965 and departed on a cross country trip for their honeymoon, with Doris behind the wheel. They lived many years in Manalapan, NJ before retiring to Little Egg Harbor, NJ. Along the way, Doris’s sense of adventure took them all over the world. The couple traveled extensively, China, India, Europe, Africa, South America, Australia, with Doris and Joe’s greatest trip being a safari in Africa. This combined both her passions: animals and travel. Joe would recount that on one of the legs of the trip on a rickety plane the pilot came into the cabin telling the passengers to move to the back of the plane so it could take off. Joe was scared to death, but Doris took it in stride and was elated, always thinking of their next escapade. Doris loved thrill rides of all types, roller coasters (the faster the better), hot air balloon rides, nothing was off limits for Doris.
Living in Little Egg Harbor gave Doris easy access to yet another favorite pastime, gambling in Atlantic City. No matter when she went, Doris always seemed to leave with more money than she started with. She loved the lights, glamour and of course her favorite - the boardwalk. Doris had the unique ability to make every outing an experience. She saw the bright side of everything and her zest for life will be missed by all.
Doris was a snappy dresser; every outfit had a collection of jewelry, fashionable shoes and a matching handbag. The shoes and jewelry were too numerous to count but she always had the perfect ones for each outfit.
Pets were a constant in Doris’s life. There was always a dog or two in her house, but as walking became more difficult it was her cats that gave her great joy. Her last feline friend made the big move from New Jersey to Massachusetts with her. Oreo stayed by her side through it all. Thanks, Oreo!
In addition to her husband and parents, Doris was also pre-deceased by her brother George Schirmer and her sisters-in-law Irene, Tootsie and Mary. She is survived by brothers-in-law Louis Gentile and Salvatore Gentile both of Massachusetts; her nieces and nephews: Lori Schirmer of Florida, George Schirmer and his wife Hope of Pennsylvania, Louis Gentile and his wife Debra of Massachusetts, Terry Carella and her husband Robert of Massachusetts, Peter Gentile and his wife Julie of Massachusetts. She also leaves many loving grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the compassionate caregivers at Brooksby Village, especially in memory care and the amazing support that they received through Beacon Hospice. Doris was also blessed to have the friendship and care of Carol Mahoney during the four years while she was at Brooksby Village. If you would like to remember Doris, please make a donation to your local animal shelter. Funeral services will be private.
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