Obituary of Doris Virginia Kiney

Doris Virginia Bresnen Kiney of Hightstown, NJ, and formerly of East Millstone, NJ, passed away after a brief illness on February 18, 2023. Doris was born in Trenton, NJ, on December 31, 1923. She graduated from Cathedral High School in Trenton in 1941 and went on to later graduate Summa Cum Laude from the College of New Jersey with a BA in English and Library Science. After raising her two daughters, Doris began her career at the Franklin Township Library in Franklin Township NJ in 1972. She worked in technical services and then assumed the role of Head of Bookmobile Services for the township until 1980. Doris served as the Director of Hillsborough Public Library in Hillsborough Township, NJ from 1980 to 1995. In her role as Director, she was instrumental in helping to design and oversee the construction of a new library building for the township, when the library moved from a small storefront location to the new township municipal complex.

After retiring from her library career in 1995, Doris continued her love of literature by becoming a professional storyteller. She studied under Susan Danoff of Princeton, NJ, to learn the craft of storytelling. She became a member of two national storytelling leagues and of several state and local storytelling leagues: the Garden State Storytelling League, the Princeton Storytelling Circle, The NJ Storytelling Guild, and the League of NJ Storytellers. She also attended several storytelling seminars in Princeton, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. She was active in providing storytelling services at schools, community events and storytelling festivals.

Doris loved her family first, but also loved reading, gardening, cooking and music. She loved to sing, play the piano, and to dance whenever she heard a lively tune. Her gardens were always full of bright blooms and every year she planted her summer garden and tended her roses. She was well known for her Christmas fudge, which she shared with all the neighbors. Doris was also the church organist for many years at St. Joseph RC Church in East Millstone, NJ, where she lived with her family from 1950 to 2011.

In 2011, she moved to Meadow Lakes CCRC in Hightstown, NJ, where she delighted her fellow residents with storytelling for special occasions, such as at Halloween. She lived at Meadow Lakes for nearly thirteen years and enjoyed the many activities, parties and friends she met there.

Doris is pre-deceased by her husband William F. (Bill) Kiney, her parents Mary and James Bresnen, her sister Florence, and many aunts and uncles. She leaves two daughters: Nancy Massone (Barry), and Jane Kiney, and two grandchildren - Michael Massone (Sophie Chabon) and Sarah Massone, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, February 24, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua RC Church, 251 Franklin Street, Hightstown, NJ. 

Cremation will be private.  

Contributions in her name may be made to the Lustgarten Foundation by visiting https://lustgarten.org/, the American Cancer Society by visiting https://donate.cancer.org/, Catholic Charities by visiting https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/, or the charitable organization of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Simplicity Funeral and Cremation Services at Glackin Chapel, 136 Morrison Ave., Hightstown, NJ.