Obituary of Vera Alice Stine
Vera Alice Stine, 84, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 14, 2025, at Overlook Hospital in Summit, New Jersey. Born on March 24, 1940, in Newark, NJ to Walter and Marion Wright, Vera was raised in Linden, where she cultivated the deep sense of community and service that would define her life.
A 1958 graduate of Linden High School, Vera furthered her education at secretarial school before beginning her career at PSEG. After marrying the love of her life, Rowland L. Stine, she embraced the role of a devoted homemaker, raising their family with unwavering love and care. Once her children were older, she returned to the workforce, working briefly at Watchung Hills Regional High School before finding her home in the Green Brook Township Public Schools in 1983—a role she cherished and continued until her passing. Vera was more than just an employee; she was a beloved fixture in the Green Brook school system, deeply valued by students, parents, faculty, and staff alike.
Beyond her professional life, Vera dedicated herself to serving her community. She was a proud member of the Watchung Rescue Squad from 1967 to 1999, and in 1977, she became its first female captain. She also shared her knowledge as a first aid instructor at Union County College in the 1980s. Her commitment to service extended to the Watching Cub Scouts, where for 15 years, she played an instrumental role in shaping young lives long after her sons were adults, earning her the esteemed Good Scout of the Year Award in 2021.
Her dedication did not go unnoticed. On March 24, 2023—her 83rd birthday—Watchung Township honored her lifelong contributions by proclaiming the day Vera Stine Day. It was a testament to the profound impact she had on her community.
Vera’s love for animals was equally boundless. She rescued all of her beloved dogs from the Plainfield Humane Society and later volunteered at the very shelter that brought them into her life. She found joy in traveling, making meaningful trips with her family to Switzerland and the Netherlands to connect with her mother’s and father’s roots. She was known for her impeccable nails, always adorned with designs celebrating the holidays and seasons—just one of the many small details that made her unforgettable.
Above all, Vera’s greatest joy was her family. In recent years, she cherished having her son and daughter-in-law move into the home behind hers, allowing them to remain close and share in life’s moments together.
Vera was predeceased by her beloved husband, Rowland L. Stine, in 2010 and their son, Walter G. Stine, in 2007. She is survived by her loving son, Roger Stine, and his wife, Jill Mezzacappa, who will carry on her legacy of kindness, service, and love.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Vera’s life at a visitation on Sunday, February 23, 2025, from 2 PM to 6 PM at Higgins Home for Funerals. A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 24, 2025, at 11 AM at Wilson Memorial Church, followed by interment at Graceland Memorial Park in Kenilworth, New Jersey.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Seeing Eye of Morristown, NJ, which trains guide dogs for the visually impaired, or to Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research of Woodbury, NY.
Vera Stine was a woman of boundless generosity, deep faith, and an unwavering commitment to others. Her kindness, warmth, and selfless devotion will be deeply missed but forever remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know her.
