Dolores E. Vandegrift

Dolores Ellen Vandegrift, 95, of Rio Grande, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 4, 2025 in Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania with her daughters Lori and Susan and a caregiver Wanda Sanders at her bedside.

Dee was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Palmer John and Ella (Coughlan) Holland on January 8, 1930. When she was a teenager, her family moved to the Villas. She attended Cape May High School.

Dolores married Raymond Crossley Vandegrift in 1948. Raymond built their home in Rio Grande where she remained a lifelong resident.

Dee was a fiercely independent woman who faced life’s challenges with persistence and determination.

In addition to raising her 4 children, Dolores was employed through the years at the Woodbine State Home for Boys, Bell Telephone and several local restaurants. A woman of strong faith, Dolores participated as an Eucharistic minister of St. Raymond’s Church. She was kind and generous, always ready to help and care for family and friends. She was happiest when she was holding her babies.

Dee was an avid golfer having been a member of Avalon, Stone Harbor, and Cape May golf clubs, and won several tournaments. She enjoyed traveling, gardening, cooking, baking, and made many wedding cakes for family and friends. She was a devoted lover of animals, especially her beloved dogs. Dolores was a member and past president of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary.

Dolores is survived by daughter Susan C. (James) Copsey of Leonardtown, Maryland, daughter Carol A. (Gerald) Griffin of Villas, New Jersey, son, Raymond C. (Anne) Vandegrift Jr. of Woodbine, New Jersey, and daughter Dolores “Lori” E. (Eric) Schlosser of Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania who cared for her the past several years of failing health. She leaves 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her husband, Raymond C. Vandegrift, grandchild Cody Holland Copsey, 3 brothers, John Holland, James Holland, Charles Holland, and 2 sisters, Catherine McMonagle, and Rosemary Ritchie.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cape May County Animal Shelter Adopt, 110 Shelter Rd, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Wanda Sanders, Kathy Brenneman, Brenda Biser, and Teresa Coyle for their help to Lori in caring for our mother.  

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church on September 15, 2025 at 1:00PM with visitation from 12:00 -12:50PM. Burial will follow at the  Cape May County Veterans Cemetery in Cape May Court House, New Jersey. Evoy Funeral Home will be handling the funeral arrangements.