Obituary of Dorothy M Patroski

Dorothy M. Patroski
August 8, 1934-August 8, 2022. Age 88

Dotty Patroski, residing in St. Petersburg, FL, passed away on August 8, 2022 (8/8), her 88th birthday, after a full day of celebration with family and friends. Despite end-stage dementia, she was present, energized and enjoyed participating in all of the activities. Dotty relished her starring role as the Birthday Girl. Her last day was a great day!

Dotty grew up in Connecticut, finishing her secondary education as well as secretarial school. She got married and began working as an administrative assistant, until the birth of her first child—followed by three more children over an eight year period.

Dotty was a wonderful homemaker. Her family was always her main focus. She was involved in all of her kid’s activities. A Cub Scout Leader, Girl Scout volunteer and PTA mother. She was an enthusiastic and loud cheerleader at her children’s sporting events/award ceremonies. Dotty placed a premium on education and was the driving force in making sure all of her children had a college education.

Dotty was also an exceptional cook. Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter meals were legendary. The family always looked forward to eating her pies, cherry cheesecakes and the most craved hot, fried doughboys slathered with butter and sugar.

As an empty nester, Dotty began to forge a new path. She simultaneously worked and went to college, graduating with a BS degree in Social Work from Kean College. The family was so proud of her. Dotty became a Dual Diagnosed Addiction/Mental Health Counselor for the state of New Jersey. After retirement as a Counselor, she worked part time as an elder caregiver. Her life and love for helping others was faith-based. Dotty believed in the power of prayer, daily praying for her family and others in times of joy, need or sorrow.

Dotty is survived by her 4 children—Charlene ( William) Trimmer, William (Susan) Patroski, Ann Marie Barger and Helen-Mary (Craig) Schoedler. Additionally, she is survived by 8 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and a sister, Elaine Crise. All of us will miss her but she will remain in our hearts.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 16, 2022 at 11:00am at Saint Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Church of the Resurrection. The church address is 200 Tuckahoe Road, Marmora, NJ 08233. Burial will follow at the Head of the River Cemetery, Estell Manor. In lieu of flowers, private prayers and a small act of kindness for someone else to honor Dotty’s memory would be appreciated by the family.