Dorothea Jean, age 94 of Lincoln Park, died peacefully on Sunday, November 2, 2014. She had lived in Lincoln Park since 1954 and recently resided with her son in Pompton Plains.

Dorothy was born in Hoboken and raised in Weehawken and Pequannock. Sadly, Dorothy lost her mother when she was just ten years old at which point she began living with her older sisters in Pequannock and Weehawken.

While living in Pequannock, Dorothy met a nice neighborhood boy named George Sharpe. They dated for a few years until George went off to the Army. Dorothy rode the train out to St. Louis (along with a train full of admiring soldiers) wearing a green velvet skirt suit to see him in 1943. Upon her arrival, they quickly got a marriage license and tied the knot! They married on April 19, and enjoyed a brief honeymoon in St. Louis, even though George was still actively serving in the Army. He went AWOL for a couple of days so they could celebrate, which cost him a little time in the brig, but he knew that Dorothy was worth it! They were truly in love and spent ten wonderful, loving years together before having children. Dorothy and George settled in Clifton before moving to Lincoln Park in 1954 to raise their family. They spent thirty five years of a very loving marriage before George passed in 1989.

Dorothy developed a love for dancing when she was introduced to tap at a very young age. Her love for dancing continued throughout her life. Often, she was the life of parties and never ceased to amaze people with her dance moves at weddings, birthdays, anniversary parties, and any small gathering for that matter. When preparing for one of her granddaughter's wedding, she massaged her feet for an entire week so that she could dance all night. As usual, she was the life of the party and danced for hours! She had so much fun that she continued to dance with the bird when she got home that night. In addition to tap, the “Jitterbug” and other ‘swing’ dances were her specialties.

Dorothy also loved to sing. She would often recite songs that her father taught her, or that she learned along the way to her grandchildren. In fact, every single one of her children and grandchildren will vividly hold the memory dear in their hearts of her singing the lyrics to the song "The Sidewalks of New York-"East side, west side, all around the town..,"-while she tapped danced in her Park Avenue kitchen.

In addition to singing and dancing with them regularly, Dorothy loved her family unconditionally, and made them laugh with the sound of her youthful and infectious giggle. By example, she also taught them lessons about being strong, overcoming obstacles, and that nothing is more important than family.

Dorothy played an active role in raising her grandchildren and she was a special part of their daily lives.

She was a very loving and caring mother and grandma and loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren very much. They will all miss her dearly.

Dorothy is survived by her three children; Patricia Sharpe of Arizona, George Sharpe and his wife Elcy of Pompton Plains, and Stephen Sharpe and his wife Michelle of Towaco, seven grandchildren; Danielle (and her husband, Michael), Lauren, Olivia, Alexa, Brianna, Danielle, Ava, three great-grandchildren; Sienna, Michael, and Lucas and one honorary grandchild; Andrew. She was predeceased by her husband George in 1989.

Memorial donations in Dorothy’s honor would be greatly appreciated. She was a patriotic woman and enjoyed supporting the American Legion Post #279, 133 Main St., Lincoln Park, NJ 07035 and the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 www.WoundedWarriorProject.org.