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In memory of
Nancy "Dotti" Rona (Friedman) Stroh
March 30, 1949 - December 10, 2020
Mar 30, 1949 - Dec 10, 2020
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In lieu of flowers
In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to Greyhound Friends of New Jersey.
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Nancy's obituary
She was born on March 30, 1949, to Jerome and Dorothy Friedman in Jersey City, New Jersey, and grew up in Hoboken, New Jersey. Nancy’s first job was working the counter at her family’s restaurant, Gold’s Luncheonette.
After graduating from Hoboken High School in 1966, she studied special education and speech correction at Jersey City College where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in education. Nancy belonged to many clubs and was an extremely dedicated student. She then went on to earn her master's degree from New Jersey City University.
Nancy’s first teaching job was at Willowbrook State School caring for children with special needs and disabilities, beginning a 38-year career in education. Following her tenure at Willowbrook, she became a special education teacher and guidance counselor at Secaucus High School where she worked for the remainder of her career. Nancy was a mentor to both students and faculty and helped guide many young people into adulthood.
Nancy and Russell Stroh wed in 1977 and remained together until 1991. They had two children, Jessica Lynne and Stephanie Jill, who they raised in Ramsey, New Jersey. Even though Nancy cared deeply for her students, motherhood was the job she took most seriously. She was determined to raise her girls to become strong independent women which meant knowing exactly when to be tough and when to be gentle.
Nancy retired in 2009, shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. She was committed to living an adventurous and full life despite her health obstacles. Nancy traveled the world and reinvented herself as a volunteer caring clown named Dotti. She was an active member of the clown alley, and also served as vice president, booker, producer, and mentor to new clowns. Nancy also adopted a rescue greyhound named Tipper whom she loved dearly. Nancy and Tipper moved to Clifton in 2012 and became active members of the community.
In addition to being very close to her family, Nancy formed and maintained life-long friendships. She was extremely social and enjoyed going to shows and sharing meals with family and friends on a regular basis. Nancy will be sorely missed by the many people she touched over the years.
Nancy was predeceased by her parents, Jerome and Dorthy. She is survived by her daughter Jessica Stroh; her daughter Stephanie Akhter and son-in-law Umair Akhter; and her brother Donald Friedman and his wife Donna “Frosty” Friedman. Nancy was looking forward to becoming a grandmother in January 2021.
We will be honoring Nancy’s wishes of cremation and will be hosting a virtual celebration of life on January 2, 2021, at 3 pm EST. In remembrance of her life and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to two of the organizations that she was directly involved with: Call Us Clowns and Greyhound Friends of New Jersey.
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In lieu of flowers
In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to Greyhound Friends of New Jersey.
In lieu of flowers
In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to Greyhound Friends of New Jersey.
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Created with love by
Jessica Stroh (Nancy's daughter),
Stephanie Akhter (Nancy's daughter) and
Donald Friedman (Nancy's brother).
