Lori Hoag-Dalrymple, age 68, of Seaside Heights, NJ, left us on 2/6/25 due to ALS, the cruel, incurable disease known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. She was the daughter of Nancy Stimmel Burwell (Donald) and Richard Hoag (Kathleen Barron). She was a 1974 graduate of Wilson Area High School where she played field hockey and was also chosen as prom queen and Wilson’s Warrior Princess.

Lori wanted to communicate her story beginning on 1/5/25 during hospice, while she could still speak:

“I was taken in the prime of my life. I loved my family, my worldwide network of friends and nature. I spent a lot of time outdoors, collecting shells, swimming in the Delaware River and proudly administered a Facebook page called I Love the Delaware River – the last free flowing river east of the Mississippi.

“I loved 4-wheeling in my Jeeps, fishing, hiking and in my later years, living at the beach. I moved around a lot, which drove most of my friends crazy. In the early 80s, I lived in the Buffalo, NY area and the Bills were awful back then, but tickets were easy to get. I lived in Columbia, MD, a short time in San Diego, CA and many apartments in downtown Easton, PA. During the pandemic, I moved to the NJ shore and found a job at the Island Beach Motor Lodge, where I spent the first few years masked at the front desk.

“I’ve worked at numerous other jobs during my travels. While in high school, I worked for Aaron Litwak, DDS and Orr’s Dept. store, both in Easton. Later, I also assisted two other Easton area dentists and while in the Buffalo area, a pediatric dentist. I’ve worked at Palmer Nursery, Lowe’s Garden Center (Bethlehem and Easton); Metzler’s Nursery, Columbia, MD; Cierech’s Greenhouse, Alpha, NJ; Morning Glory Farm, Martha’s Vineyard and Highmark Farmstand at the Easton Public Market.

“While living on Martha’s Vineyard, I managed two B&Bs (The Captain Dexter Houses), worked retail at Jaba Art Gallery and sold tickets and “caught” the line for Steamship Schaimonchi, which is now located in Puerto Rico.

“In addition to working at several wineries, there were retail positions in different parts of the country: The Frame Gallery, US Newspaper, Express-Times and Chocodiem in Easton; The Limited, Patuxent Publishing and Linda Roberts Gallery in Columbia; Powers & Goods Men Store, City Lights Christmas Store and the Dennis Conner Museum & Store in San Diego (Mr. America’s Cup).

“I am survived by sons Rusty Dalrymple (Beckie) and grandchildren Trent, Hunter and Peyton, Poway, CA; Casey (Kristy) and granddaughter Hazel Mae, San Diego, CA; sister Ann Connolly, Bethlehem, PA; nieces and nephews Lauren Case- who was like a daughter - (Ken) and great niece Stella, Easton, PA; Daniel Warner, Tujunga, CA and Alexis Connolly (aka Dorothy from Kansas), Bethlehem, PA.

“When finishing this up I also want it to be known that I was a true NE Patriots fan.

“I have friends all over the country who have shown me love and support during this battle with ALS. No funeral will be held. In lieu of services, I ask that anyone feeling moved to donate to a worthy cause in my memory, please do so at the Joan Dancy and PALS Foundation, 1 Riverview Plaza, Red Bank, NJ 07701. Other than the doctors, the Foundation provided mental and financial support to me, and for 20 years for many others who are suffering from ALS in the Monmouth and Ocean County, NJ area.

“Just for the record I want everyone to know that ALS sucks”.