Coaster Photo
Doris Carroll
Doris M. Carroll of Asbury Park, who founded The Coaster with her husband Bob in 1983, died Sun., March 26 at home with her family around her. She was 94.
She was a fixture around town with her notebook and always the refrain, “Do you have any social news for me?” She wrote the social column in The Coaster for many years. She was also a regular at the events at the Stephen Crane House on Fourth Avenue in Asbury Park where she never failed to bring her famous cucumber sandwiches.
Asbury Park Mayor John Moor, who knew her for many years, recalled his memories of her.
Mrs. Carroll, and that is what I always called her, I never said Doris,” he said. “She was one of the nicest people I have ever met. I honestly can’t say anything negative about her. She was 100 percent class in her attire and her demeanor. She had a quick wit and often times a humorous comeback to many of our conversations. All I can say is she was a Carroll and is now with her husband who I did call Bob. Rest in peace Mrs. Carroll.”
She was born to Thomas and Marie Foley (nee Morrissy) in Germantown Hospital, Phila. PA Aug. 4, 1928. Early life was spent at Holy Angels Grammar School and later Little Flower High School for Girls. Her parents predeceased her as well as brothers Bill and Tom, sister Marie leaving brother Rich. She was also predeceased by her husband Bob in 2011, son Tom in 2010 and son Rob in 2017.
After working as a secretary for Prudential Insurance Company in Philadelphia for five years she married Robert Carroll, a senior at Villanova University on January 28, 1950 and remained at Prudential until her first child Ellen was born. Other children included Robert, Thomas, Patrick, Christopher and Marianne,
In 1954 they moved to Freehold, N.J. when Bob took a job as a writer on a weekly paper, the Freehold Transcript. He then went to the Asbury Park Press and they moved to Asbury Park to a larger house.
While there the Monmouth Mall was built and Doris became the Christmas Fairy Princess for three years. When her last child went to kindergarten she took a part time job for a few mornings a week at the CoffeeBreak Donut Shop, Sunset and Main avenues in Asbury Park.
She belonged to Court Holy Spirit Catholic Daughters of the Americas for over 50 years as regent, treasurer and secretary – just changing jobs every few years She was a member of the Holy Spirit church choir for 45 years, president and secretary of Holy Spirit PTA, president and member of the Board of Trustees of the Asbury Park Pubic Library, a member for 20 years and secretary of the GFWC Woman’s Club of Asbury Park, a member of the Asbury Park Historical Society and a member of the Shore Swingers Square Dance Club.
She was a voracious reader, enjoyed sewing, crafting and dancing until her poor balance said stop!
She and her husband Bob established The Coaster in 1983 working from home. In 1987 they purchased a building at 1011 Main St., Asbury Park where the office remains today.
She is survived by her children, Ellen, and her children Jim Butler and Michael and Araceli Butler; Patrick, Christopher and his wife, Carmen, and their children Samantha and her husband, Brett, and Stephanie and Marianne Tantrum and her husband, David, and their children Niall and Molly. Also, her brother, Richard and his wife, Donna, daughter-in-law Cheryl Carroll and grandchildren Danny Carroll, Becky Carroll and Erin Carroll, great-grandchild Marck Butler and many nieces and nephews.
A viewing is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. Thurs., March 30 at Buckley Funeral Home, 509 Second Ave., Asbury Park. Her body will be cremated and placed with Bob’s in Veterans Cemetery in Ocean County. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated. at 11 a.m. Fri., March 31 at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Deal. In place of flowers donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
