- Mrs. Doris Oertel Curran was born in Browntown, New Jersey. She moved with her family to Dayton in 1916. She earned her teaching degree from Trenton State Teachers College in 1932. Her first teaching job was in the old four-room Dayton School. She was in charge of 47 students crammed into her first classroom
- Many of her former students remembered how strict she was in the classroom, but they did admit to learning a great deal from her during the school year. They remembered fondly her lessons taught outdoors at Stokes State Forest and other remote areas
- Was known throughout the Township as THE authority on things historical. She collected news clippings and photos that dated back many years. Much of her collection is in the Ceil Leedom Room of the South Brunswick Public Library. She served on various historical committees over the years and also interviewed many of the local old-timers. Organized displays of local historical memorabilia at the Library and at the First Presbyterian Church in Dayton
- Member of the New Jersey Education Association, the New Jersey Retired Education Association, and the Middlesex County Retired Education Association. Was also involved with the South Brunswick Historical Society and the South Brunswick Senior Citizens
- Was a lover of the great outdoors and was especially fond of birdwatching. She collected china and porcelain birds. Many of the birds in her collection were given to her by former students
“When I retired, I was absolutely petrified . . . but I’ve enjoyed retirement ever since I helped create the Historical Society in 1971.”
Doris Curran
