Nancy J. Corris

Nancy J. Corris (nee Kastner) 81 of Toms River passed away on January 16 surrounded by her family.

Born in Belleville, she spent all of her life there prior to moving recently to Toms River. Nancy was employed at Enviroplan in West Orange for many years and retired as comptroller. Guided by her love for her husband and family, she enjoyed sharing good times with everyone dear to her. She was an expert bridge and card player and will be sadly missed by all.

Nancy was predeceased by 3 siblings: Robert Kastner, Dorothy Salmon and Patricia Ridings.

She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years Joseph Corris, 4 daughters and their husbands: Cindy and Pete Jacovinich of Woodbridge, Sandra and Doug Blischok of Berkeley Heights, Stacey & Jim Relyea of Rockaway, Shannon and Scott van den Berg of Toms River, her sister Joanne Mauritz and her husband John of Massachusetts, and 9 adoring grandchildren: PJ, Stacey, Brianna, Daniel, Savannah, Cory, Kyra, Erin and Kimberly.

Visitation will be on Monday January 20th from 4 to 8 PM at Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home 26 Mule Road Toms River, NJ 08755. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday January 21st at St. Maximilian Kolbe RC Church, Toms River, NJ at 11:30. Burial will follow at the NJ Veteran’s Cemetery, Arneytown, NJ. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her name to the American Heart Association. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.quinn-hoppingfh.com.

Nancy Bun Mom Grandma Sister Aunt Cousin Friend Card-partner

We all know my mom by one of these special names. Looking back over the past several years, I think I would add the name “Energizer Bunny” based on her desire to keep on going and going and going… She so wanted to remain with us just a little bit longer, to share a laugh and maybe just another game of cards with those she loved. If you knew my mom, she was always the last one at a party to give in to sleep, and over the last few months she continued to fight with such courage to do the same as her life came to a close.

Born in Belleville to Emil and Kathryn Kastner, Nancy was welcomed into a loving family as the youngest of 5 children. Her family was close, she loved being with her siblings and helping out her nieces and nephews with whatever they needed. Does it surprise anyone that growing up she was known to be full of spunk and sharp-wit? During her teen years, her parents purchased their first and only house on 25 Lloyd Place, which would be her home for over 60 years, and if the walls could talk, oh the stories they could tell! Whether it was the endless coming and going of family members and friends, the late night tea with anyone who would sit to drink it with her, or the music and laughter at so many memorable parties, we never knew to this day how many people could we really fit in that little house? Four generations of our family at one time or another were blessed to have called 25 Lloyd Place their home, a great testament to the open armed fun loving nature of our parents and grandparents.

Growing up with an aunt and uncle who owned a bowling alley, she became an avid bowler and won many awards, with her high game being 247. Her ‘perfect game’ was scored when she met Joe Corris in one of her bowling leagues. Meeting “Beans”, as most of us know was her ‘endearing’ term for him, they began their lifelong journey together, blessed with 58 years of marriage. They were also blessed along the way with 4 caring daughters, 4 loving son-in-laws and 9 adoring grandchildren. Raising us in a faith filled environment, we all knew we were unconditionally loved and that there were to be no favorites, even though we always tried to get her to name just one! Little girls grow up wanting to be like their mothers, and we were no different. As we grew older she was not only our teacher but she became our best friend. Whether it was spoiling us with a special meal, showing us how to make our favorite foods or guiding us on how to handle a difficult situation, Mom was always there to comfort us. As she slowed down, we all reversed the roles and were happy to pamper her with each of our talents. Whether it was cooking, bill-paying or the extra special loving homecare she needed, we were there for her. She taught us well by her examples on how to be happy, trustworthy, modest, comical, loving and forgiving; we are all grateful to have been blessed with Mom as our role model.

Mom purchased a piano for Dad as a wedding gift. Our home was filled with endless hours of music, parties and singing. Dad would begin playing a tune and Mom would start singing from wherever she was in the house. Not a birthday went by without a call from our parents singing ‘Happy Birthday’ with the piano in the background. In the midst of her failing health, she asked him to play music for her, and he sat by her side holding her and singing, even as she took her last breath. Watching our parents over the years sitting at the piano singing to each other has been a privilege to witness. What a wonderful wedding gift…

With each new addition to the family, whether son-in-law or grandchild, it gave her new reasons to beam. Her smiles grew bigger as the size of her family increased. I asked Mom recently her thoughts of our family and she said she was bursting with pride. She loved being surrounded by family and friends, and was always supportive and involved in our lives and the lives of her grandchildren. Whether it was babysitting, Christmas Pageants, music concerts, basketball, wrapped up in blankets at a hockey or soccer game or getting sunburn at a softball game, she made sure each grandchild felt special and loved.

Nancy retired as comptroller from Enviroplan. She loved the challenges of accounting, and enjoyed her coworkers. Having had the privilege to work with my mom for 7 years, she taught me strong work ethics and also how to enjoy a happy hour. She loved the many lunch time card-games and bridge games that followed for many years, even as recently as last month. Thank you to her bridge partners for your patience and even though she slowed down the past few years, I think she still gave you a run for your money! I know that everyone who ever played bridge with her was amazed at her card-smarts, even the well to do Upper Montclair Bridge Club where she began her bridge career. It was a sight to see when the ladies showed up from their mansions in Montclair to challenge my mom in our modest home in Belleville. Safe to say more often than not, they left for home a little lighter in their fancy pocketbooks!

She frequently tested her luck in Atlantic City. While she was never a big winner, we were fortunate to have had a family trip there in November and that was a jackpot for us all. She had a passion for fun and games and could transform just a short visit into a ton of laughter with a deck of cards (we found 33 of them), Catch-Phrase or charades. It was not uncommon for us all to sit up half the night playing while she enjoyed a cup of tea and a ½ beer for hours, which she is probably doing right now with Aunt Pat. She had that sixth sense about how to play any card game, which she said she inherited from her father. I’m sure there are very few people here that she hasn’t beaten in a card game. Last week we played black-jack at midnight when mom became alert and said ‘who wants to play cards?’ We all went to bed peaceful knowing she was able to do something she loved just one more time.

She had a compassionate nature, and could always spare something for those less fortunate, as witnessed by the piles of little notepads and labels the charities continuously sent to the house. When she was in the ICU ward after her stroke, she was concerned that the bills had not been paid, I joked with her asking ‘Mom, whatever will the St. Labre Indians do without your donation this month?’ She gave me a big crooked grin and replied “that’s ok honey, they are all praying for me now”. We loved her wit...

Mom has faced the past several years with extreme courage to keep her journey going with my father standing strong by her side. Thank you to everyone who has journeyed with us along the way, either by your thoughts and prayers, visits or phone calls to lift her spirits and to bring all of us some comfort and support. Challenged first with a stroke and then cancer, her faith has certainly guided her on the path. We are all so very proud of how hard she fought to stay with us, and through her suffering taught us to be strong and to keep our eyes on God and our family. Although she has reached the end of her journey, her spirit certainly remains with us. We will always hold her close in our hearts and know that she is in heaven, sharing herself with loved ones and our Lord who were there to greet her and welcome her home.