Born to Harry and Harriet Sipley on February 8, 1938, Harriet was a lifelong resident of Sussex County. She was a loyal employee of Stocker Bus Company, where she will be remembered fondly by all past students she had the privilege of driving. You might have seen her at the Garris General Store in her former years and up until she was called to heaven, she was a caretaker for the Geyers.
Harriet was a cherished member of her community. Her most notable contribution was when she, and her late husband David Sr., lobbied for and helped establish the Stillwater Area Volunteer Fire Company. Harriet volunteered at the department for nearly 30 years and was a member of the auxiliary. The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Harriet. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Affectionately known as “Grammy”, she had all the patience and guidance to teach her loving grandchildren and great grandchildren to bake and carry-on precious recipes to future generations. Her kindness, generosity, and willingness to help others stands as a shining example for all of us. Her compassion, her empathy, her enthusiasm, and her demure spirit will be severely missed.
Harriet was predeceased by her parents, her brother Ronald Van Houten, her brother Floyd “Sonny” Sipley, her son David Carlisle Van Gorden Jr. and her beloved husband of 66 years, David Carlisle Van Gorden Sr. She is leaving a legacy behind and is survived by her daughter Deborah Van Gorden-Dickinson and her husband Greg, her daughter Theresa Steckel and her husband Albie, her daughter-in-law Wendy Van Gorden, her son Shawn Van Gorden, and her son Grant Van Gorden and his wife Kyung “Sophia”; 17 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren; her brother Harry “Junior” Sipley, and her sister Joyce Kampka and her husband Bruce, her sister in law Dina Sipley; as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
A memorial service will be held at the Stillwater Firehouse, 929 Stillwater Road, Stillwater Township, on Sunday, October 27, 2024, beginning at 10 am. Following the memorial service, Harriet will forever be laid to rest at the Stillwater Cemetery, 930 Maple Avenue, Stillwater Township, beginning at 1 pm.
Memorial donations may be made to the Stillwater Area Volunteer Fire Company, 929 Stillwater Road, Newton, NJ 07860.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High Street, Newton, New Jersey. Online condolences may be offered at www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com.
