Obituary of Ruth M. Dorney

Ruth Marie (Miller) Dorney, 95, of Ironia, passed away peacefully at her home on Miller’s Hill Farm the morning of February 17, 2024, with her family at her side.

Born in the family farmhouse on August 22, 1928, to Theodore J. and Ruth M. (McCloskey) Miller. She attended St. Mary’s school in Wharton, graduating 8^th grade in 1942 and Roxbury High School, graduating in 1946. Ruth went on to obtain degrees in Education, earning her BA in 1950 and MA in 1955 from Montclair State College, later earning her 2^nd MA /Certification in Administration from Seton Hall College in 1971. She enjoyed a long career in education, beginning in East Hanover Twp. NJ, teaching in grades 1-8 from 1950-55. She left home in 1955 for a Civilian teaching position with the DOD US Army Dependents School in Okinawa Japan where she taught 4^th grade from 1955-59. On her return she began her career with Randolph Twp. BOE, teaching 1^st grade from 1959-65. During her tenure she wrote and instructed the Title I Program for Randolph Schools, 1965-67. Ruth left her home once again to teach 2^nd grade for Fairfax County Schools in Virginia from 1967-70. On return to her hometown, she left classroom instruction and became Supervisor of Elementary Education for Randolph BOE from 1970-80, during that time she developed the Continuous Progress Program Method for Instruction for grades K-6. In 1980 Ruth became Principal of Ironia Elementary School, 1980-85; Fernbrook Elementary School, 1985-89. Although she held numerous leadership positions in educational associations such as the NJASCD (NJ Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development), she found those last 10 years of her 39 year public school career to be her most rewarding!

Devout in her faith, Ruth was very active in the Catholic parish communities of: Resurrection Parish and St. Matthew’s the Apostle Parish. While both a founding member and Trustee of St. Matthew’s, her most fulfilling role was as Coordinator of the church’s Religious Education Program from 1992-2009. In this position she shared her faith and love of God through teaching to the children and families of St. Matthew’s.  Because of her dedication to this role Ruth was awarded the Vivere Christus Est Medal (“To live is Christ”) by the Diocese of Paterson in June 2009.

Upon her retirement Ruth enjoyed life to the fullest, spending her days on the family farm with her Husband, Col. James J. Dorney, whom she met while teaching in Okinawa. Weekends were full of West Point Football, tailgating, Broadway shows and Shakespeare theatre; she loved gardening, cooking, entertaining and was an avid reader, able to read 2-3 books at a time. Ruth also enjoyed traveling abroad and in the US with family and friends.

Although she held her faith and family close, her title as “Family Matriarch” came from her focus and efforts on the farm. She was proud of her farming background and worked diligently with the subsequent generations to assure the farm would continue successfully. Ruth truly committed her life to the preservation of the farm and its lifestyle so it would not be lost to society.

Ruth is survived by and many nieces and nephews: Theodore Cyrier (Lisa), Ruth McAndrew (John), and Emily Cyrier – all of Randolph. Natalie Cline (Al) Strasburg OH, Christa Pico (Carmen) Stanhope, Roberta Oglesby (Bill) Dripping Springs, TX and  her son Michael Dorney (Susan) of Ann Arbor MI. Grand nieces and nephews include: Justin, Emily, Jessica, Jane, Jan, Sofie, Joe, John, Justin, Natalie, Andrew, Rosemary, Danielle, Melanie and David. Great grand nieces and nephews include: Felix, Oliver, Shannon, Lila, Reis, Tatum, Brandon, Jacob, Melissa, Gerald, Matthew and Sean. She is preceded in death by her Husband Col. James J. Dorney, Brother Theodore J. Miller Jr., Sister Emily J. Cyrier, Niece Eileen M. Pico and dear friend Maryjane Donnelly.

Visitation will be held on Sunday February 25, 2024 from 1-5:00 pm at Tuttle Funeral Home, 272 State Route 10 West, Randolph (www.tuttlefh.com). Funeral Mass will be held at St Matthew’s Apostle Parish, 335 Dover-Chester Rd., Randolph on Monday, February 26, 2024 at 10:00 am. Private Interment at a later date - West Point, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ruth’s memory to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (https://www.stjude.org)

or: Tunnel to Towers Foundation: 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 (https://t2t.org)