Dorothea C. McDermott, formerly of West Caldwell, passed away on January 5, 2022. She was 85.

Dorothea was born in Elizabeth, NJ and grew up in the Vailsburg section of Newark and graduated from Saint Vincent Academy High School. Dorothea went on to earn her Associates degree in Dental Hygiene from Fairleigh Dickenson College in 1955. She also obtained a certificate in Pastoral Ministry from St. Elizabeth College.

Dorothea married William McDermott and they raised their family in West Caldwell. She was a longtime parishioner of St. Aloysius Church and was a Coordinator of RCIA, a Eucharistic Minister and a Lector. She also became a Bereavement Facilitator for the Archdiocese of Newark.

Dorothea worked for many years as a Dental Hygienist for Dr. James Schenker, retiring in 2010. When she wasn’t busy with her family, her church and her work, she loved to relax at the West Caldwell Pool.

After retiring, Dorothea moved to Toms River where she remained active. She became a part of the Parish of St. Joseph.

Predeceased by her husband, William; her daughter, Susan; her son, Timothy; and her sister Carol Trettau, Dorothea is survived by her daughters, Jean Marie Kodman and her husband, Paul; and Ellen Fusco and her husband, Michael; her son, William; her grandchildren, Kelly and her husband Jason, Paul, Summer, Heather, Julianna, Christian, Kaylee and Ethan; her brother, F. John Conlan; and many relatives and friends.

Visitation will be Sunday, January 9th from 2:00 to 4:00pm at Codey Funeral Home of Caldwell. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 10th at 9:30am at St. Aloysius Church, Caldwell, followed by interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Sisters of Charity Development Fund at St. Elizabeth College, Convent Station would be appreciated, for instilling in Dorothea her gift of faith.