Doris A. (Sniffen) Pryke, 99, of Newton, died Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, at Calvin Community in Des Moines. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 17 at Newton Union Cemetery. The service will also be livestreamed on the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory Facebook page. Memorials to Calvin Community may be left at the graveside service or at the funeral home.
Doris, the daughter of William and Agnes (McWilliam) Sniffen, was born Sept. 21, 1920, in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. She grew up in Ridgefield Park, N.J., and graduated from Ridgefield Park High School at the age of 16. She then received her degree in business education from Beaver College in Pennsylvania. After graduating, she moved back to Ridgefield Park to live with her parents and work as an administrative assistant at Women’s Day Magazine in New York City. On April 24, 1942, Doris was united in marriage with Robert B. Pryke in Ridgefield Park. Shortly after they were married, Robert was deployed during World War II. While he was away, Doris moved to live with her aunt in Phoenix and worked for the Phoenix Water Rights Association. After Robert returned from the service, they lived briefly in Oakland, Calif., before returning to New Jersey in 1946, to live with Doris’ parents while they built their home. They made their home in River Edge, N.J., for the next 40 years.
Doris was a homemaker while her children were small and then worked as a church secretary until her retirement. In the late 1980s, Doris and Robert moved to Ramsey, N.J., until later moving to Newton. They also enjoyed spending their winters in Florida for many years.
Doris was very active at the First Congregational Church being involved in the choir and church circles. Doris was an accomplished pianist and organist and played the organ in two churches in addition to being a back-up organist at her own church. She also taught piano lessons. Doris was brilliant and could master word and number puzzles with ease. She was a talented seamstress doing needlework, crocheting and knitting. Although Doris loved structure in her life, she also had a great sense of humor that acquired her many friends throughout the years. One thing her family was always impressed with is that she never left her home without her hair, makeup and nails done and she always had on a pair of heels.
Doris is survived by her son, James (Jennifer) Pryke of Newton; grandchildren, Megan Pryke of Newton, Rob (Brandi) Pryke of Orange Park, Fla., and Katy (Steve) Stonehocker of Newton; and her great-grandchildren, Allison, Rylie and Mason Pryke and Emma, Alex and Isobel Stonehocker. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband of 70 years, Robert B. Pryke; and daughter, Karen Pryke.