Obituary of Dolores Gesumaria

Dolores Gesumaria, 90, of Kinnelon and Diamond Beach, NJ passed away peacefully on January 20, 2023.

Dolores was born to Joseph and Mary Grieco in NYC and grew up in Hackensack, NJ. She moved to Oakland, NJ in 1957 and then settled in Kinnelon, NJ for the past 14 years. 

Dolores graduated from Hackensack High School and then went on to graduate with a Bachelors degree in Education from Montclair State University. She continued her education, earning two Masters degrees. She was a dedicated teacher who taught it all – elementary, middle, and high school. Earlier in her career she was known by her students as Mrs. Kasper, then later on as Mrs. Gesumaria (“Ms. Ges”). She retired from the Oakland Public School System after 40 years of teaching.

Dolores was devoted to her faith and was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Magnificat church in Kinnelon. She also taught CCD and was involved in the RCIA program and Ladies Guild at Our Lady of the Magnificat.

She was a very giving and caring person and would always help others in need. She would provide food, clothing, diapers and other necessities for members of her community who were less fortunate than her.

Dolores had a passion for dancing and would routinely go square dancing and ballroom dancing, making many friends along the way. She had been the president of Spinning Wheels of Wayne square dance club for 20 years. In her free time, she enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, teaching line dancing, walking, reading, and having lunch with friends. She belonged to the Red Hat Society and was a volunteer at Valley Hospital.

She is predeceased by her husband Joseph Gesumaria and her parents Joseph and Mary along with her sister Mary Ann Grieco. Dolores is survived by her daughter Sharon Williams and her husband John, her daughter Diane Kasper, her sons Edward Kasper and his wife Christine, Joseph Kasper and his wife Tammy, and John Kasper; her grandchildren Jessica Williams Bley, Christian, Stacy, Branden, Nolan, Alyssa, Samantha, Victoria and Masen Kasper; and her great-grandchildren Camryn, Dylan and Ean Kasper and Layla, Mia and Colton Bley. She adored, and was extremely proud of, all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was, of course, loved and adored by them as well.

A wake will be held on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at Our Lady of the Magnificat Church, 2 Miller Rd Kinnelon, NJ from 5PM-8PM. A Funeral Mass will be held in Dolores’ honor on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 11AM at the church. Interment will follow at Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution to Our Lady of the Magnificat Church in memory of Dolores.