On the morning of December 19, 2022, Doris J. Nieskens, of East Brunswick, New Jersey, passed away peacefully with her family by her side.
Born in Paterson, New Jersey, on June 8, 1929, Doris was the youngest of four children of Domenico and Rachela (Pilone) Massaro. She dearly loved her parents and always remembered and was grateful for their many sacrifices. Raised a Catholic, she remained devoted to her faith and was fiercely proud of her Italian heritage.
Doris J. Nieskens
Doris grew up poor but incredibly happy in the Totowa section of Paterson. She graduated from the old Central High School in January 1946. She was recognized for her dedication to CHS and served as Class Secretary. Doris was an outstanding athlete and letter winner and was included in her Class’ Most Popular and Pride of the Faculty groupings.
Early on, Doris worked for a local insurance company and later in life for several area banks. She married John F. Nieskens on April 15, 1950, and together they shared 53 years together until his passing in 2003. They eventually settled in Hawthorne and there began raising their three sons. John’s Post Office promotions took the family to Stoughton, Massachusetts, before returning to Whippany, New Jersey, where they resided for 27 years. In 1999, Doris and John moved together to a retirement community in Whiting, New Jersey. There, Doris enjoyed frequent trips to Atlantic City, was active in clubhouse social life and was a member of the garden club.
Doris would best be remembered as a devoted and supportive wife and a wonderful and loving mother. She was an excellent cook and gracious host for many delicious holiday dinners and backyard barbecues. Her lasagna and eggplant parmesan were family favorites.
Doris with her husband, John, in 1977
Her sons fondly remember Doris happily singing as she went about her day. The words of one of her favorites went like this: “A cottage small is all I’m after, not one that is spacious and wide. A house that’s filled with joy and laughter, the ones you love inside.” It perfectly expresses what she valued most from life.
Doris loved dogs and couldn’t resist spoiling them. When her sons were gone and John was traveling, Pino, a mixed breed, captured her heart. She received much comfort from his companionship.
Doris was proud to be a homemaker; it was not an occupation but a vocation and a passion. Every part of her life was devoted to providing happiness and opportunity for her family. She wanted nothing more than for her children and grandchildren to have a better life than she had. She would humbly say that her greatest accomplishment was to have played a part in their success. Her example of love, kindness and sacrifice of self for family has been carried forward and will never be forgotten.
Doris was predeceased by both her parents, her husband, John, her siblings, Tosca, Dan and Rae, a niece, Patricia, and a nephew, Arthur. She is survived by her children, John and Ann Nieskens, Richard and Cat Nieskens and David and Amy Nieskens, six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and six nephews.
Doris in 2005 when she resided in Whiting, NJ
The family wishes to thank the staff of the Sunrise in East Brunswick for their kind and compassionate care.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at 10:00 AM at St Mary Help of Christians Roman Catholic Church, 410 Union Ave. Paterson, NJ. Interment will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Totowa, NJ. Friends may call on Monday, December 26, 2022, from 5:00-8:00 PM at the Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd Totowa, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, if you would like to donate in Doris’ memory, please consider St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee.
Obituary written John A. Nieskens by and submitted by Richard Nieskens.