WROBEL — Jenny A. Wrobel (nee Martin), age 83 of South Harrison Township, passed away peacefully on Sept.16, 2024 at Inspira Medical Center.
She was born in Madawaska, ME, and her family settled in Swedesboro in the 1950’s. She worked as a hairdresser assistant in her teen years then with the Swedesboro Auction and Teledyne Plastics.
She met Bud (Walter) in 1959, and they were married a year later in 1960. They eventually settled in Swedesboro, and then built a home in South Harrison Township where they have been since 1970. She retired from Teledyne Plastics after almost 30 years.
After her retirement, she joined her husband in the game of golf, soon becoming known as “Mrs. Golf”, as that became a passion for her. They traveled up and down the East Coast and Midwest including Nova Scotia and Ontario Canada.
They played over 145 different courses in their almost 30 years of retirement. She got her hole in one before Bud and also eight trophies through the years at the Ladies Pitman Golf Association. You only had to say you want to play golf and she would reply, “Okay, where and when?”
Her other passion was reading novels and watching golf and tennis on TV. Eventually that led to curling, hockey, soccer, and finally, the Phillies.
She was married to Walter (Bud) Wrobel for 63 years. They have a daughter, Tina Baer (Tim); two grandchildren, Jake Baer and Alexandra Kerce; and four great grandchildren, Collin and Conner Kerce, and Callie and Luca Baer. She is survived by a brother, David Martin (Dale) and sister, Danna Calatozzo (Pete).
Donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
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BLUM — Worthington Blum, age 93 years, of Bridgeport passed away on Jan. 22 in his home. He was born and raised in Paulsboro and was a 1950 graduate of Paulsboro High School. Growing up he was proud he helped out in the family business, “Blum’s Bakery”. He later retired after 40 years of service as a lab technician with DuPont Chambers Works in Deepwater.
Mr. Blum was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Bridgeport and the Raccoon Creek Boat Club. He was very proud of a poem he wrote “Oh Delaware” about growing up along the river in Paulsboro and Bridgeport.
Mr. Blum enjoyed the outdoors, traveling to most states, especially the western states, and tinkering all day to keep busy.
He is survived by his children, Drew and Terri Blum of Mantua, Karen Blum of Bridgeport, Dawn Helm of Alexandria, Virginia, Leslie and John Filemyr of South Carolina; his grandchildren, Jacob Brown, Michelle Bradford, Taylor Blum, Drew Blum, Charles Fones, Jarrad Richards, Kurt Drabold, Sara Larsson, Heather Filemyr and Eric Filemyr; his great-grandchildren, Kaylise, Kara, Savannah and Troy and his sister, Evelyn Woodburn of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Mr. Blum was predeceased by his wife, Frances C. Blum, his son, Kurt Blum, his daughter, Virginia Bradley, his son in law, Mark Helm and his grandson, Paul Drabold.
Funeral services were held at McBride-Foley Funeral Home, 228 West Broad St., Paulsboro. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.
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DOERRMANN — Marion Doerrmann. She lived 101 years at 101 miles per hour. Marion was a woman in motion. Her boundless energy most likely dated to her days on the farm. She was raised on the Rainey Farm and ran it for many years with her husband. She’d be by his side, driving trucks and tractors and packing when the crops came in.
She cooked three squares a day, and it all came from the land, a garden where she raised vegetables for canning, sundry pigs and cows and chickens roaming about. She even made her own butter, cottage cheese and ice cream.
Her husband hunted quite a bit, so she learned how to make everything from rabbit to sirloin. At the end of the day, the two of them settled down to have a drink. The woman of extremely few vices would smile and tell you it was five o’clock somewhere.
She also worked at the Swedesboro Auction (loved because it was Marion who handed out the checks) and Stecher’s Country Store.
Many argued, though, that she came upon her real calling late in life. She was a “Grammy” for the ages. Not just for her own family, but all of their friends. She was always up for an adventure (especially St. Michael’s), would hit them with her wit when they least expected it and had them by her side helping on the farm.
Of course, she was never more at home than when she was out on the water on her boat, “Good Grief.” She always fished with the same rod from the days of her youth. She loved her times in Townsend’s Inlet, staying in the Edgewater House.
Not really into the ocean, she was more of a back bay girl, fishing and crabbing ‘til the sun went down. After the two sold the farm, they had the chance to travel, seeing every landmark in the continental U.S., Hawaii and more than a few cruises.
Marion loved the holidays and hosted them all, her farmhouse full of the smells of her cooking, her family and just about everybody who didn’t have a place to be. She had a fondness for cardinals (when a cardinal appears, angels are near) and if her T.V was on she’d be checking out the Hallmark Channel, Wheel of Fortune, and Jeopardy.
She was a member of the Bethesda United Methodist Church where she was active in the JEMS classes, bible school and Eastern Star.
The pretty red-headed girl from the Swedesboro Class of ’41 caught the eye of a handsome boy from the class’42. She and the late Jim would marry and share a marriage blessed by a daughter, Susan (the late Gary) Osborn, and later by grandchildren, Shannon (Barry) Gandy and Ryan (Victoria) Osborn, great grandchildren, Rylee, Kaitlynn, Brianna, Julie, Colin, Savanna and Lucas and she lived long enough to hold her great-great granddaughter, Emmaretta.
Her life was celebrated at Daley Life Celebration Studio, Swedesboro. Internment in Lake Park Cemetery, Woolwich.
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JONES — Joseph A. Jones, age 82, of Clarksboro, passed away peacefully on Jan. 24. Born in Camden to the late Raymond Jones and Irma (nee Lee), Joe was a proud graduate of Gloucester High School, Class of 1960. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science in 1966.
A week later, he married his beloved wife, Margaret Amato, and together they shared a life filled with love, adventure, and cherished memories.
Throughout his career, Joe worked at several medical facilities, including Underwood Memorial Hospital in Woodbury, NJ, and most recently at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, DE. He was also a dedicated Mason, an active member of the Delaware Bay Lighthouse Keepers and Friends Association, and a member of the Garden State Coin Club.
A true nature enthusiast, Joe took immense pride in his garden, where he grew a variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. He also enjoyed beekeeping and feeding the many native birds that visited his property.
Joe’s beloved shore home in Ship Bottom, Long Beach Island, NJ, was a place where countless memories were made, especially as he enjoyed bodysurfing, often with his two grandsons.
His love of music was passed down to his children and he regularly attended concerts. In addition to his love for music, Joe enjoyed engaging in spirited political debates.
A lifelong sports fan, Joe had an unwavering loyalty to his Philadelphia Phillies and Flyers.
His sense of humor and infectious laugh brightened every room he entered. Joe and Peg also shared a love of travel, cruising to various destinations around the world.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Margaret “Peg” Jones; his daughter, Sandra Van Oostendorp and her husband, John, of Jackson, NJ; two grandsons, Brian Van Oostendorp and his wife, Rachael, and John Van Oostendorp and his wife, Alexandra; his brother, Larry Jones and his wife, Patricia, of Brigantine, NJ; his sister-in-law, Diane Jensen; his seven nephews and one niece; and his devoted cat, Midnite. Joe was predeceased by his son, Brian Jones.
Memories and condolences can be shared at www.smithfhmantua.com.
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POOL — Richard Owen Pool, age 63 of Mantua, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 10. He was born in Woodbury to the late E. Owen and Beth Pool. He attended Kingsway High School and graduated from Woodstown High School and Salem County College.
Richard retired from the Gloucester County Improvement Authority and was a dedicated farmer all his life. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was a Mopar enthusiast.
Richard is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Heather Pool (nee Shaeffer); his daughters, Kristin Pool (Chris Sammons) and Machaela Pool (Brandon Henkel); siblings David Pool, Linda Blum & John Pool; beloved cousin, Terry Poole, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
