Doris K. (Knoeppel) Hannigan

Doris K. Hannigan, of Marco Island, FL and Pompton Plains, NJ, beloved wife of John P. Hannigan, died peacefully at her home Thursday, Dec. 30. She was 85.

Born Feb. 15, 1936 in Englewood, NJ, Doris was the daughter of the late Elsie and Daniel Knoeppel. She was a proud graduate of St. Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing and maintained lifelong friendships with her classmates. Later, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing from The Jersey City State College. While at St. Vincent’s, she met her husband, Jack Hannigan. They married in 1958 and raised their four children, Patricia, Beth, Tom and John in Emerson for 33 years. 

Doris’s most rewarding position was the school nurse at Roosevelt School in River Edge, NJ, where for 20 years she cared for a multitude of children and developed amazing relationships with the staff. She retired in 1996. Doris and Jack lived their retirement in Greentown, PA, near Lake Wallenpaupack, and in Marco Island, FL, where they entertained their children and grandchildren on their boat, on the tennis courts, and in the pool. 

In her teenage years, Doris was a nationally ranked USTA tennis player and enjoyed playing tennis most of her life. She was an avid gardener and painter. Many of her paintings hang in her homes, as well as her children’s. She was a camper who adventurously led her family on many camping vacations, including a cross country trip. She was an active member of San Marco Roman Catholic Church. Doris also loved spending time with her family and friends.

Doris is survived by her husband, Jack Hannigan, after 63 years of marriage; daughters Patricia Lotito and husband Marty, Conshohocken, PA, and Beth Whittam and husband Don, Allendale, NJ; sons Tom Hannigan and wife Andrea, Westampton, NJ, and Jack Hannigan and wife Betty Ann, Hillsdale, NJ. She is also survived by her 11 grandchildren, Lisa, Dana and husband Malcom, Michael, Daniel, Thomas, Grace, Katy, Sarah, Matthew, Kelly, and Sean. 

Doris was preceded in death by her sisters Joan Knoeppel and Carol Callahan. 

A viewing, under the care of Van Emburgh-Sneider-Pernice, 109 Darlington Ave., Ramsey, NJ, will be 3 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 5. A Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 6 at Church of the Presentation in Upper Saddle River, NJ. 

Due to distance, health or Covid, we realize you may not be able to attend Doris’s funeral mass. Fortunately, the Church of the Presentation is able to live stream the funeral. Here is the link below which will be live at 10 am on Thursday 1/6/22.

https://www.churchofpresentation.org/funeral-ministry/

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Doris’s name to Doctors Without Borders (https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/).  

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