Doris Sauerhoefer

Doris Ellen Sauerhoefer, 87, died peacefully on December 13, 2022, at All American Assisted Living in Hillsborough. Born and raised in Somerville to the late Frank and Naomi (Frech) Brown, she was a lifelong central New Jersey resident except for a few years in North Carolina. A graduate of Somerville High School, she married Robert Sauerhoefer in 1965, and the two went on to raise their family in Hillsborough.

At the time of her marriage, she worked in the accounting department of American Cyanamid Corporation. After taking time off to start a family, she reentered the workforce to care for her family when her husband became disabled; she was devoted to her family unconditionally and was its unsung hero throughout the years. She worked at and eventually retired from Raritan Valley Disposal in the accounts receivable department.

She was steadfastly dedicated to her family and served as its bedrock. When her sons were children, she and her husband would take them camping with her extended family at various locations across the East Coast. If there was a family picnic, guests could count on her renowned potato salad. Both she and her husband were avid bowlers; she participated in both women’s and co-ed leagues. She also played softball and was known for her strong arm in the outfield. She regaled her family with countless stories over friendly and sometimes ruthless games of cards; for her, playing cards was a conduit to preserve the strong family bonds she had maintained throughout life. She was the glue that held her family together. She loved traveling with her sisters, especially to casinos where she could be found playing nickel slot machines; she was never a sore loser and was always a gracious winner, never teasing them when they came up empty-handed. She enjoyed putting together jigsaw puzzles, completing crossword puzzles, listening to oldies music, and watching classic reruns. As her extended family grew, she often volunteered to babysit children of her nieces and nephews. This embodied who she was: a woman who put herself in front of others, always willing to help out wherever she could, and always leaving those in her circle well-loved and cared for. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and dear friend to all who knew her. She will be missed.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Sauerhoefer, in 2000 and by her loving brother, William George “Brownie” Brown, in 2022.

Surviving are her sons, Robert W. Sauerhoefer and William Eric Sauerhoefer-Thompson and husband Marcus, her sisters Elizabeth Doyle and Joyce Richards, as well as extended family and countless friends.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 20, at 4:00-8:00 PM at Cusick Funeral Home, 80 Mountain Avenue, Somerville.

Funeral services will commence on Wednesday, December 21 at 11:00 AM at Cusick Funeral Home. Family and friends are welcome to gather at the funeral home starting at 10:00 AM.

Interment will follow at Somerset Hills Memorial Park, Mt. Airy Road, Basking Ridge.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Doris’ memory to Susan G. Komen. She had been a breast cancer survivor since 1989 and was a relentless supporter of others fighting this disease, Donate Online .