Roxbury Township, Mrs. Ruth Ann Chesler (nee Kelly), 95, died peacefully at home on August 18, 2021. She was born and raised in Allendale, NJ and later lived in Brooklyn from 1944-1956before moving to Succasunna 65 years ago. She was a graduate of the Long Island College Hospital School of Nursing and was a member of the Cadet Nurse Corps during WWII. She was a registered nurse at the Todd Shipyards in Brooklyn from 1948-1957. She then became the Director of Employee Health at St. Joseph’s Hospital before retiring to raise her children. She returned to work at Lyons VA Hospital in 1983 until her retirement in 1997.
She took an active role in the community as a Girl Scout Brownie Leader, Cub Scout Den Mother, and President of the Boy Scout Mothers’ Club. She was President of the Roxbury High School Gaels Marching Band and was instrumental for raising funds for new uniforms for the band and the color guard. She spent many years as the President of the Roxbury Senior Citizens Club and was a member of the Red Hat Society. She was a member of St. Therese RC Church in Succasunna.
She had a love of gardening, sewing, crafts, travel, Walt Disney World and a special way with animals.
She was predeceased by her husband Harry A “Jay” Chesler, Jr in 1997. She is survived by her daughter Kelly A. S.(and John Miller) Chesler of Succasunna, and son Harry Alexis “Lex” (and Margaret Harris) Chesler, III of San Francisco, CA. She also leaves her granddaughter Hariette Alexis Chesler of San Francisco,CA, and brother Thomas (and Nicole) Kelly of Reno, NV.
Friends and relatives may visit at the Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home,96 Main Street, Succasunna, NJ 973-584-7264 (davishepplewhitefh.com) on Tuesday (August 24th) from 4 – 7 pm. The Funeral Liturgy will be held on Wednesday, 10 am, at St. Therese R C Church in Succasunna. The interment will follow at the Succasunna Presbyterian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Roxbury Volunteer Fire Company #1 122 Main Street Succasunna, NJ 07876