Dorothy Ann Custer's Obituary
Dorothy Ann Custer (nee Sawicki), 62, of Cinnaminson and Wildwood Crest, passed away peacefully at her home on September 1, 2024, following a courageous 10-year battle with cancer.
Affectionately known as Dot to those who knew and loved her, she was born in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ to the late Carl and Jacqueline (nee Rusin) Sawicki.
In 1979, Dot graduated from Riverside High School, where she made lifelong friends (including her “60’s Sisters” Cathy, Gina, Cathy, and Gerri) and she received the prestigious “Miss White” School Spirit Award in her senior year. After high school, she was an Administrative Assistant in the Social Services Department at Zurbrugg Memorial / Rancocas Valley Hospitals, where she worked for 15 years before transitioning into her favorite and most rewarding role as homemaker for her family.
Dot was the beloved wife and best friend of Charles John “Bud” Custer for 40 years. In addition to enjoying many wonderful years together on the beaches of Wildwood Crest and traveling to tropical destinations in the Caribbean and Hawaii, the two also loved spending time with family and friends.
She was the devoted mother of Charles John “Buddy” Custer Jr. (Alexandra) and Christopher Joseph Custer (Marissa); and proud “GiGi” of her cherished grandchildren, Quinn and Connor — each of whom brought her great joy. When Dot’s third grandchild is born in October, she will be smiling down from heaven with additional joy.
Dot very much loved her entire family and was the dear sister of Barbara Likes (Christopher), Kathleen Hastick, and Michael Datzko; daughter-in-law of Frances Custer; sister-in-law of Kathleen Valeriano (Thomas), Ronald Custer (Katherine), Lynda Roberts (William) and Diane Keenan; beloved aunt of Nina Thompson (Jay), Ashley Likes, Brian Likes, Patrick Keenan, Renee Roberts, Stephanie Roberts, Alyssa Valeriano (Dylan); and great aunt of Hannah, Jay, Parker, and Logan. She is also survived by many extended family members and friends who will miss her.
In addition to her parents, Dot was predeceased by her grandparents, Joe and Mary Rusin, and her Aunt Jean Tedesco (nee Rusin), whom she loved and cared for until their last days; and also her husband’s father, Charles (Bud) Custer.
Relatives and friends are invited to a gathering in Dot’s honor at Givnish of Cinnaminson, 1200 Route 130 North, on Friday, September 20th, from 10:00 AM to 12 noon; with a Memorial Service immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Dot’s memory may be made to: The Breast Cancer Foundation, http://give.bcrf.org; Samaritan Healthcare and Hospice, https://www.samaritannj.org/giving/donate-now/ ; or The Humanity Preservation Foundation, https://humanitypreservationfoundation.org/support-hpf/.
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