Ann T. Van Dyke, 76 , of Oceanport, passed peacefully on Tuesday, April 4, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous six-year battle with ovarian cancer. Born in Elizabeth, she was raised in Keansburg before moving to Oceanport. Ann graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School, class of 1959. She worked as a secretary in New York City for a short time before marrying the love of her life, James Van Dyke, and joyfully raising their five children in Oceanport.
She fell in love with the beach at an early age and spent every day of every summer for nearly 30 years at Driftwood Beach Club – raising her children there with her mother, her sister Monica and her family.
Ann enjoyed later years in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, as well as extended visits with her children and grandchildren. One of her dreams came true this past June when her five children took her on the trip of a lifetime to Ireland.
She remained true to herself and was a fighter to the end, never letting cancer define her. She leaves a lasting legacy of love, family, laughter to be carried on by her children and grandchildren. Ann’s life was her family, she instilled in each of her children that family was the most important.
Ann was predeceased by her husband, James Van Dyke, in 2006; her parents, Anna Rose and Martin Lang; and her brother, Jack Lang in 2015. She is survived by her children, Kyle Van Dyke and his wife, Annette, Chippewa of Wisconsin, Kelly Valinoti and her husband Stephen of Oceanport, Caroline Van Dyke of Oceanport, Alison Doughty and her husband Brad of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Joseph Van Dyke and his wife Laine, Charlottesville, Virginia; her siblings, Monica Sperling and her husband George of Oceanport and Maureen Henderson and her husband Bill of Medford; her sisters-in-law, Janet Van Dyke of Northfield and Marylyn Van Dyke McMurtry of Montgomery, Texas; her beloved grandchildren, Kylie, Ryan, Kayla, Elise, Julia, Savannah, Sienna, Hazel and Joseph; as well as many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.
Ann’s family would like to thank the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, especially Dr. Keith Bible as well as Dr. Jamie Bakkum-Gamez and the staff of Monmouth Oncology, especially Dr. Rosemary Fiore and the Compassus Life Choice Hospice team.
Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home, Long Branch, was in charge of arrangements. To share a favorite memory or messages of condolence, please visit Ann’s page of tributes at www.woolleyboglioli.com.
