Dorothy Doland

Dorothy Hilma Doland (nee Strote), age 93, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Monday, February 21, 2022, while receiving the loving care of her family.

Dorothy was born and raised in Rockford, IL and was the youngest of twelve children to Albin and Natalia Strote. While growing up in Rockford, Dorothy attended East High School and Bethany United Methodist Church. Following her graduation from East High School in 1945, Dorothy found work at Rockford Clutch Division of the Borg Warner Corporation, where they manufactured clutches for tractors. Dorothy then worked for the YMCA for a number of years.

While working at the YMCA, Dorothy was introduced by some mutual friends to a handsome young man by the name of James Doland. Jim and Dorothy fell in love, were engaged in three months and married six months later, on October 2, 1960. In 1962 Dorothy and Jim relocated to Wayne, NJ where Dorothy could be close to her dear sister Ruth who lived in Pompton Lakes. Upon arriving in New Jersey, Dorothy and Jim settled in their log cabin, in Pines Lake, and became members of Pompton Reformed Church. Dorothy was a skilled typist and worked for an arbitrator for twenty-five years. She then took a position at GAF Corporation in Wayne, where she called upon her previous skills as a Switchboard Operator for the next ten years, until finally retiring in 1994.

While living in Wayne, Dorothy and Jim welcomed the births of both of their daughters, Donna and Debra. Dorothy and Jim remained in Wayne for the rest of their lives together. Dorothy never lost her love for sports, after high school, and throughout her life, she continued to play in lady’s softball leagues. Dorothy also enjoyed bowling and playing volleyball. She was an avid reader and enjoyed playing board games and doing jigsaw puzzles. But aside from all of Dorothy’s talents, hobbies, and interests, her greatest passion was for her family. Nothing in the world meant more to Dorothy than spending time with and providing for, her family. Dorothy was an exceptionally devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She absolutely treasured babysitting her grandchildren every chance she could and cheered them on in all their accomplishments. She and Jim cherished nearly sixty-two years of a loving and Christ-centered marriage. Many of those years were spent at their cottage on the Rideau Lake in Canada where many family members and friends gathered.

Dorothy was not only devoted to her family but also to her Christian Faith. While living in Illinois, she was an active member of Bethany United Methodist Church and after moving to Wayne she and her family have been active members of the Pompton Reformed Church for nearly 55 years. Dorothy was a truly selfless person who always put the needs of others before her own. She touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.

Dorothy is survived by her husband James Doland of Wayne, two daughters; Debra Jones and her husband Ryan of Lombardy Ontario, Canada, and Donna De Block and her husband Michael of Wayne, NJ, four grandchildren; Matthew De Block and his wife Taylor of North Haledon, NJ, Bethany De Block of Hoboken, NJ, Isaiah Doland of Port Elmsley, Canada, and Natalie Kravacek and her husband Michael of Otty Lake, Canada. Dorothy was predeceased by her eight brothers; Lawrence Strote, Walter Strote, Wendell Strote, Roland Strote, Howard Strote, Harold Strote, Clifford Strote, and infant brother, Carl as well as four sisters; Senora Blomquist, Ethel Hoffman, Ruth Reichert, and twin sister, Doris Weaver.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dorothy's name may be made to the Pompton Reformed Church, 59 Hamburg Tpke, Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442.