Obituary of Doris P. Gerard

"True religion is real living; living with all one's soul, with all one's goodness and righteousness." Doris P. Gerard of Cedarville passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at South Jersey Regional Medical Center at the age of 87 surrounded by her family. Born Doris Walsh in Fall River, Massachusetts, she was the second of four children born to Thomas Walsh and Anita George Walsh. Doris trained as a nurse at the Union Hospital School of Nursing in Fall River, graduating in 1945. She met her husband Ed on a blind date and they were married in 1944. Following his discharge from the US Navy, the couple moved to Cedarville. Doris worked as a nurse for many years, first at Bridgeton Hospital, then as a school nurse. She also continued her education, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the School of Public Health at Trenton State College. She was a longstanding member of St. Michael's Church in Cedarville, where she attended Mass regularly and was active in the Altar & Rosary Society. Doris is survived by her husband of 67 years, Ed, her son, Edward Jr. (Skip) and his wife MaryAnn; a daughter Kathleen DeCastro, son, Mark and grandchildren Christopher, Elizabeth, Mark Jr., Lisa, and Laure and great-grandchildren Amanda, Courtney, Emily, Killian, Aidan, Nathan, and Caroline and one great-great-grandson Zaidyn. Her Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at the Parish of the Holy Cross, St. Michael's Church, 367 Main Street, Cedarville on Saturday, September 17th at 11 AM. Friends will be received at the church on Saturday morning from 10 to 11 AM prior to the services. Burial will take place at Cumberland County Veterans Cemetery in Hopewell Township. Arrangements are under the direction of the PADGETT FUNERAL HOME, Cedarville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Doris's memory to St.Jude Childrens Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38103.