Alma Geist Cap

Alma Geist Cap, 98, of Cumming, GA, originally from Califon, NJ and longtime resident of Perth Amboy, NJ, passed away at the Embracing Hospice Center in Cumming, GA on May 16, 2015.

Eldest child of Harry G Geist and Helen Haggarty Geist, she is survived by son Allen Hogan and wife Cheryl, grandchildren Cynthia Hogan Rich and husband David, Chip Hogan and wife Jenny, Todd Hogan and wife Lindsay and great grandchildren Caroline Jane and Bradley Duff Hogan.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles F. Cap, brother and sister-in-law Ralph and Betty Geist, brother, Robert (Bobbie) Geist and sister, Carol Dunn.

A 1934 graduate of High Bridge High School, Alma went on to the New Jersey College for Women (now Douglass College, part of Rutgers University), class of 1938 and later attended Rider University.  After a short career selling World Book Encyclopedias, Alma started teaching High School in Sayreville, NJ.  Both her brothers were serving in WWII, so she joined the American Red Cross and worked in Australia and later landed in the Philippines even before General MacArthur returned.  While in Australia, she married A. Woodard (Woody) Hogan, a sergeant with the 4^th Overhaul Squadron stationed in Townsville.  Following the war, she taught High School in High Bridge, NJ until marrying Charles Cap in October 1949 and taking a job as Director of women and girls activities for the Perth Amboy YMCA.  Alma performed as editor of the Douglass College Alumnae Bulletin, (1951-1967), receiving several citations for excellence by the American Alumni Council.  In 1971 she received the coveted Margaret T. Corwin Award for Alumnae Service, which is the Associate Alumnae’s highest award for service to the college.   For a short time Alma worked for the Crossroads Girl Scout Council before accepting positions as Public Relations Coordinator, first at Perth Amboy General Hospital and later at Middlesex General Hospital until her retirement in 1984

Alma continued as an active member of her community with special passions for history, the arts and church events.  She was the Eldest member of the Califon, NJ Methodist Church, associate member of Simpson Methodist Church in Perth Amboy, NJ, recent member of Shiloh Methodist Church in Cumming and currently a member of Pleasant Grove Methodist Church in Cumming, GA.  She was a lifelong member of the Hobart Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, High Bridge, NJ.  Alma loved history and was deeply involved with the Proprietary House Association (Royal Governor’s Mansion) in Perth Amboy for 24 years and served as Association President for 5 years.  After moving to Georgia, she actively participated in Forsyth County Historical Society events, including giving lectures and dressing up in period costume to give tours of the Harris Family log cabin at the Indian Village during the annual Cumming Fair.  Her favorite lecture was to tell people about her WWII experience.  That story has been recorded by the Rutgers Oral History team and is available on the Web by simply searching for “Alma Geist Cap”. 

A celebration of life will be held at a later date and her remains will be placed at the Lower Valley Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Califon, NJ.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in memory of Alma to the Proprietary House, 149 Kearny Ave, Perth Amboy, NJ, 08861, and the Forsyth County Historical Society or to or the American Hospice Foundation.

Condolences may be expressed at www.mcdonaldandson.com.

Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA  30040   (770) 886.9899`