Blanche Maria Angen

Maria Blanche Angen, 94, of Lopatcong, New Jersey and previously of Washington (Warren County,) and North Plainfield, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2026.

Born on September 17, 1931, in Laredo, Texas, she was the daughter of the late Isidro Ortegon and Guadalupe Ortegon (née Vazquez).

Blanche worked for many years as an administrative secretary for Mobil Chemical Company and later for Raritan Valley Hospital, where she was known for her dedication and professionalism. She was an “Avon Lady,” who assisted local groups with fundraising for a good cause. On weekends and holidays, Blanche was the Weekend Manager for Animal Care at Bio Dynamics Inc. in East Millstone, NJ.

She dedicated much of her life to volunteerism and community service. Blanche was a member of the Washington Rescue Squad Ladies Auxiliary and the founder of the Warren County chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. She volunteered her time with the Friends of the Warren County Library and was a member of the First Unitarian Church of Plainfield, NJ where she was especially active in the church’s drama club.

In her younger years, Blanche worked as a fashion model and had the opportunity to serve as a “Hughes Girl” during a Democratic NJ gubernatorial race. From an early age, she embraced the role of single mother with strength and grace, always placing family at the center of her world raising a son and daughter. She was an exceptionally loving mother.

Blanche treasured simple joys with her children - going to the movies, especially on summer evenings, at the drive-in theater in Somerville, New Jersey, tending to her garden, and baking for loved ones. In the winter she led the children to the pond in Green Brook Park to introduce them to ice skating and they went to the YMCA in Plainfield to learn to swim. When the children attended West End Elementary School in North Plainfield, Blanche was a Room Mother. Family was her greatest pride and joy.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Diana Maria (Stillwell) Dove and her husband, Robert Michael Dove; her son, Richard Lawrence Stillwell and his wife, Amy; her cherished grandchildren, Chelsea Dove and her husband, Zack Stone, Sean Robert Dove and his partner, Reed Rayborn, Richard Lawrence Stillwell Jr. and his wife, Erica, and Robert Clark Stillwell and his wife, Maryam; and her two great-grandchildren, Harrison Stillwell and Graham Stillwell.

She was predeceased by her parents, husband Dr. George E. Angen, and brothers and sisters; Homero, Gregorio, Prudenciano, Isidro, Juan, Gloria, and Ernesto.

A private memorial celebrating Blanche’s life will take place at a later date. Blanche will be remembered, among those who have left us, in the Warren County Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice Butterfly Release on Saturday, June 27 in the 4pm ceremony at Memorial School’s Karen Nash Memorial Butterfly Garden.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Warren Hills Memorial Home. To send an online condolence, please visit www.warrenhillsmemorialhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the award-winning Children’s Wildlife Habitat Pollinator Garden on the grounds of Memorial Elementary School, where two of Blanche’s grandchildren attended. Checks may be made payable to Karen Nash Memorial Butterfly Garden or KNMBG and mailed to: Karen Nash Memorial Butterfly Garden, 300 West Stewart Street, Washington, New Jersey 07882. Attention: Diana Dove.