Obituaries

Susan G. Johnson, 67, of Red Bank, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, after a hard fought, courageous battle with cancer. Her vibrant spirit and relentless determination in fighting her disease was an inspiration to all those around her.

Susan was born to Michael and Kathy Gabco in New London, CT. The oldest daughter of five siblings, she spent her childhood in Waterford, CT, where she developed a passion for dance at an early age. She pursued her craft at the Boston Conservatory of Music where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts. After graduating, she moved to New York City where she continued to study dance. She loved the city life and made friends amongst dancers, actors and other aspiring performers. From there, she moved to Pelham, NY, where she first worked for the Steffi Nossen Dance in Education Foundation and then went on to teach at other dance schools around Westchester and in Greenwich, CT. While living in Pelham she met the love of her life, Robert (Bob). They relocated with Susan’s daughter, Christine, to Avon, CT and were married in 1987. The following year they welcomed a son, Rob, and lived in Avon for several years before moving to Shrewsbury, NJ in 1992.

Donna A. Applegate, 75, a native of Holmdel, NJ was a beloved wife, mother, and Grammy. A positive light to everyone she encountered, Donna was the foundation of her family. She was fun-loving, supportive, open, and generous of spirit.

Donna was a graduate of Red Bank Regional High School and went on to serve as a clerk at Prudential Insurance in Newark, NJ. In 1975 Donna left Prudential in order to start her family.

She was an active volunteer with many committees and organizations including Girl Scouts and the Holmdel School System. Donna took pride in making her home a joyfully welcoming place for friends and family, and for anyone who needed a seat at the table. She enjoyed CBS Soap Operas, board games and puzzles, antiques, magazines devoted to home décor, and perhaps most of all loving her grandchildren.

Paula Morton, 68, of Tinton Falls, NJ passed away at home on Sunday, August 18th, 2024, after a two and half year courageously fought battle against lung cancer.  Born in Red Bank, NJ, Paula grew up happily with three older brothers on the shores of the Navesink River in Fair Haven, NJ, where she attended local schools.  She graduated from Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School in 1974, and recently attended their 50th high school reunion. 

Paula attended Brookdale Community College, first training as a Medical Secretary, then proudly completed her degree to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.   In that capacity, she worked for over 35 years at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, earning many accolades for her exceptional work ethic and compassionate patient care.  She then took her nursing skills to Chaplin Hill Nursing Home in Red Bank, followed by private duty nursing until her retirement in 2021. 

Alton Dean Kenney former First Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor, passed away at home on August 18, 2024. Born in 1948 in Jersey City, he ultimately settled at the Jersey Shore and became an avid sailor. He was a loving father and dedicated brother, uncle, colleague, and friend.

Mr. Kenney earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Wilkes University in 1971. No stranger to success, he was a part of the five-season run where the Colonels won 32 consecutive football games. He was named a Division III, All-American athlete. He completed his juris doctor at Seton Hall University in 1975 and was admitted to practice law that same year. He began a career with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office that lasted for 30 years and included service under Prosecutor and later Superior Court Judge, James M. Coleman, Prosecutor and later Superior Court Judge, Alexander D. Lehrer, and Prosecutor John Kaye. He was admitted to practice law before the United States District Court, the Circuit Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Ann Roemmele who was born on July 12, 1945. Ann passed away peacefully on August 18, 2024 at Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune NJ.

Ann loved many things in life including traveling with her husband, photography, the arts, music, reading, her volunteerism with many organizations, and the causes she deeply believed in.

Nancy Venerose, a long-time resident of Aberdeen, NJ, passed away unexpectedly on August 9, 2024, at the age of 79. Born on November 17, 1944, in New York City to Joseph and Anna Tosto, Nancy's vibrant personality and good humor touched everyone she met. 

A proud graduate of Cathedral High School in 1962, Nancy's life was marked by a series of adventures and accomplishments. She embraced a range of professions, including a memorable stint as a NYC taxi driver, before making her career at Forest Electric, from which she retired with a wealth of fond memories and friends.

Nancy McDougald Dickson, 89, of Little Silver, NJ, passed away on July 31^st after a short illness. Nancy was born on September 17, 1934, to Frank Alexander McDougald and Nancy “Nonie” Haight McDougald in New York and spent her formative years in Englewood, NJ. She graduated from the Dwight-Englewood School in 1952 where she was captain of both the Varsity basketball and tennis teams and was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997. She went on to study Physical Education at Skidmore College where she graduated in 1956.

Donald A. Robinson, one of the most prominent, respected and admired attorneys in New Jersey, leading principal in law firms bearing his name, passed away Saturday, August 3, at his home in Locust. Ron Riccio, Dean Emeritus of Seton Hall Law School, who was one of Robinson’s partners in his first law firm, remembered Robinson in these words:     

"Don was one of the great lawyers in the history of New Jersey. Whether as a fearless advocate for his clients, a mentor of young lawyers, a generous benefactor to disadvantaged kids growing up in inner cities, a believer in the importance of balancing family life and work, or as a creator of programs and institutions that have survived the test of time, Don was a success. He has left an indelible mark for the better on the many lives he touched."