Johnson Walton Funeral Home

Doris S. Brain

Doris S. Brain

Doris S. Brain passed away on Monday, May 18, 2020 at her home in Milford NJ. She was 95.

Born on April 8, 1925 in West Orange, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Hazel Smith. She is predeceased by her husband of 71 years Jacob "Bob" Brain.

Doris grew up in Budd Lake but moved to Milford after getting married. She graduated from Netcong High School and TCNJ. Doris was a “people” person and was a long time beloved elementary teacher and swim coach in the Phillipsburg School District. She was also the swim team coach for years for the Riegel Ridge Swim Team, as well as the Wilson Summer League. Doris and her husband were lifelong avid fishermen and loved taking their family out deep sea fishing, as well as on the Delaware River and Round Valley Reservoir. She was a US basketball official and founding member of, what is now, the Skyland Conference Field Hockey Association. Doris loved singing and she and Bob were members of the Riegel Ridge Theater Group, putting on plays such as South Pacific, The King and I, and Oklahoma, to name a few, often recruiting her son Bill to join. She starred in Bells are Ringing. She also designed and helped build the sets with her husband Bob. Doris was a member of the Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Lopatcong, NJ and in the choir as well.

Doris is survived by her daughter Darcy and her husband Philip Jones of Milford, NJ, son William and his wife Sharon of Bethlehem, PA, son Ted and his wife Pauline of Katy, TX, her grandchildren include Jessica DiBella and husband Chris of Bethlehem, PA, Melissa Brain of Philadelphia, PA, Michael and Eric Brain of Katy, TX, and her great-grandchildren include Lucas DiBella of Bethlehem, PA, and Preston and Garret Brain of Katy, TX.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, a private ceremony will be held. A memorial service at the Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Lopatcong, NJ will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of the Johnson-Walton Funeral Home, 24 Church Road, Milford, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to your favorite hospital.

Condolences

From: Keith and Joyce Criss
We are so sorry to hear of Mrs. Brains’s passing. Always had a smile and great laugh.

From: Melody Hamlin
A very lovely, accomplished woman. Mrs. Brain touched the lives of so many and always took the time to "catch up" on how everyone was doing. Her smile and energetic ways will be missed. Darcy, may your lifetime of memories make missing mom less painful. Melody and Ed Hamlin

From: Genya Pantuso
A very special loss to Skyland Field Hockey Officials (NorthWestCentral )! In 1977, Doris was instrumental in organizing the NJSIAA "West Central#7 Field Hockey Officials Chapter". She was our 1st President, without her dedication and hard work, we would be members of the Central Jersey Field Hockey Chapter and our meetings would be held somewhere in Mercer County. Doris continued officiating well into her 80's and kept up with our changes (including our new name !) Doris will be sadly missed. Our condolences! Genya Pantuso Secretary - Skyland Field Hockey Officials (NorthWestCentral)

From: Judy oliver johnson
Dear darcy, teddy and bill, My thoughts are with you all. I will always remember the photos your mom and dad would take of all the riegel ridge trick or treaters who would visit them every year on halloween and then display the kids photos on posters for all to enjoy the following halloweens. Just from their posters you could see the riegel ridge gang grow up before your eyes! Their home was always open to all kids. They were a fine couple. Xo

From: Jonelle Vellan
I can not express how truly sorry I am for your loss. Mrs.Brain was a wonderful teacher. My family TheTaiana family had her for a teacher at Green Street School. I ran into her a few times and she remembered me. What an amazing woman. May God bless you all.

From: Jo Marie Gray
Doris was quite a woman! I taught with her at Green St School, but knew of her, by reputation, in the years prior....I can only describe her as a wonderful, caring woman. I recognize the names of her children from our conversations...and, she always had “that smile” when speaking of Bob and the kids. She would guide me through the experience of being a first time mom. I’ll never forget her telling me: “ As long as they can fix it...”. I have quoted her many times over the years...she taught me to put it all in perspective. Bask in your memories, she was truly one of a kind...a real spitfire!

From: Fran Petiet
Sending condolences to the entire family, I remember your mom so well from Riegel Ridge, Del Val hockey, she was always fun loving and never had a unkind word to say about anyone, hope all your memories of the happy times will shine, like she shined in so many lives. Fran Edmond Petiet

From: Susan Carol Eagle
My deepest Sympathy to the family of Mrs Brain, I have so may wonderful memories of her as our swim coach for the Wilson Boro swim team. She was tough on us but that is what made us champions every year. Mrs Brain was also a patient in a practice I used to work for and when I told her who I was she remembered me she had quite a good memory.

From: Anita Freeman
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I adored your mom and had to pleasure to know her through her officiating field hockey.

From: Pam Rounsaville (Campbell)
My condolences to you Darcy and your family! One of your gym students . Pam (NHRHS in the mid 1970)

From: Mike Duda
Dear Darcy, Billy & Teddy, Greetings and condolences from the Dudas. Our hearts are with you in grieving, but even more in celebrating such a wonderful life. Your mom was always so special to us; she was the best coach we ever had, but even more a role model and amazing human being. 95 years is a good run, and she lived it to the fullest- so much more than simply visiting this world. Warmly, Mike Duda (with Pat & Dee) When Death Comes Mary Oliver When death comes like the hungry bear in autumn; when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse to buy me, and snaps the purse shut; when death comes like the measles-pox; when death comes like an iceberg between the shoulder blades, I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering: what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness? And therefore I look upon everything as a brotherhood and a sisterhood, and I look upon time as no more than an idea, and I consider eternity as another possibility, and I think of each life as a flower, as common as a field daisy, and as singular, and each name a comfortable music in the mouth tending as all music does, toward silence, and each body a lion of courage, and something precious to the earth. When it's over, I want to say: all my life I was a bride married to amazement. I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms. When it is over, I don't want to wonder if I have made of my life something particular, and real. I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened, or full of argument. I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.

From: Ellanora Campbell Hamill
I remember Doris from growing up in the area and she was a friend of my mother, Emma Campbell. Sincere condolences to all the family. May your many wonderful memories keep her forever in your hearts.

From: Christopher V. Sakos
Dear Ted-The NHRHS Class of 1975 sends their condolences . She sounded like a real nice person. May she rest in peace.-NHRHS Classmates.

From: Susan (Kip) and Dave Weaver
There are some people who touch our lives in such a special way that even after the passing of years their laughs, their voices, the twinkle in their eyes, and the snuggles of their hugs remain deeply loved memories. Aunt Dor and Uncle Bob were among that very select group for Dave and me and for all the Kip siblings. We send our sincere sympathy for the emptiness of their being gone to Darcy, Bill, and Ted and their families. Prayers and blessings to you all. Susan (Kip) and Dave Weaver

From: Tom and Jann Kip
We were saddened to hear the news of Aunt Dar. Uncle Bob and she were a favorite of ours. I became friends with her when we went to Charles Kip's birthday celebration in Ohio some years ago. I was fascinated with her sense of humor, so 'spunky' and kind. We began to write each other and they would send us hand made 'art' for the Christmas season which I have kept and framed most of it. She impacted my life so much. Uncle Bob and she visited us in our home and stayed with us. Oh, did we have fun with them. She was so 'talented with teaching us with lovely remarks'. I know she will be missed by all. May the Our Lord and Savior continue to comfort you all as you move through HIS healing, holding your hearts in HIS hands. What a gift and a blessing to have been loved by this couple and taught by them as you grew to become whom you all are. Tom and Jann. God's Peace Always.

From: Robin Burton Siepert
Hi Darcy, I'm so sorry for the loss of your mother. My sincere condolences to you and your family. I have fond memories of you and our "track" days and hope this finds you well. Me at she test in peace Sincerely, Robin (Burton) Siepert

From: Nancy (Kip) and Jack Strnad
To Darcy, Ted, Bill, and their families, we send our deepest condolences and love as we remember this sparkling, loving, and dynamic woman, our Aunt Dor. She was (and is!) truly one of a kind. I'd like to share a meditation by Max Lucado that comforted the "Kip kids" when our Dad passed away. May it do the same for you. Peace be with you, from Nancy and Jack "God's Magnum Opus ---- -When you arrive in heaven, something wonderful will happen. A final transformation will occur. You will be just like Jesus.... Of all the blessings of heaven, one of the greatest will be you! You will be God's magnum opus, his work of art. The angels will gasp. God's work will be completed. At last, you will have a heart like his....You will love with a perfect love....You will worship with a radiant face.....You'll hear each word God speaks.....Your heart will be pure, your words will be like jewels, your thoughts will be like treasures.....You will be just like Jesus. You will, at long last, have a heart like his."

Send a Condolence

Due to various reasons, some people who wish to attend the visitation and/or funeral for someone are unable to. With an online condolence, your personal message is assured to get to the family of the deceased.

Please fill out the following form and click submit when you are finished. The Funeral Directors will ensure that the family receives your note of sympathy.

To the Family of:
Your Name:

City:

State:

Phone:

Email:

(Only your name and message will be shown online)

Message:
To help us prevent spam, enter "8845" here: