Dorothy Jean Nicoletti

Dorothy Jean went home peacefully to be with her beloved Jesus on Monday January 19, 2026. She was 96 years old, born to the late Percy Gordy and Selma Frank in Fort Lee, NJ. She was also the beloved sister of the late Roy Gordy and his late wife Lorraine.

She shared nearly 63 years of marriage with the love of her life, the late Dr. John Edward Nicoletti, a union strengthened by faith, devotion, and compassion. They spent nearly all of their lives in Allendale, NJ, Upper Saddle River, NJ and Mahwah, NJ.

Dorothy Jean, affectionately known as Dot, Sissy, Dottie, Polka Dots, Grr, Dew, Mrs. Nic or simply “Mom”, dedicated the vast majority of her life to raising her five children, her 9 grandchildren and her 4 great grandchildren. She was an extraordinary woman.

Although she focused on her family first and foremost, she took exceptional pride in becoming an EMT for her town of Upper Saddle River, NJ. She was always looking for ways to help those in need, to fight for the underdog.

Most importantly, she lived and showed all of us fortunate enough to know her, the meaning of unconditional love. She exhibited this every day of her life. She was a beacon of warmth, kindness and strength to all her knew her. As one grandchild put it, being with her “was like being wrapped in a warm blanket”.

Dorothy is survived by her five children – Susan Nicoletti of Bluffton, SC; David Nicoletti of North Haledon, NJ; Nancy Blake and her husband Chuck Giannone of Hilton Head Island, SC; Laurie Sheppard and her husband Michael of Florham Park, NJ and Timothy Nicoletti and his wife Tamera of Bakersfield, CA.

Her loving spirit will continue in her grandchildren who meant so very much to her. Kyle Blake; Amanda Goodyear, her husband Taylor and their son Thomas, McKenna Smyth and her husband Timothy; Averie Cila, her husband Michael and their son Hunter; Michael Sheppard, his wife Mary and their son Michael IV; Ryan Sheppard and his girlfriend Natalia Aliotta; Charlee Giannone; Dennis Nicoletti, his wife Angela and their daughter Delia, and Gianna Nicoletti.

Dorothy was also a beloved aunt, great aunt and true friend to so many it would be impossible to list.

A devoted mother, Dorothy’s life was defined by her commitment to her family. She will be remembered for her kindness – and her ability to bring people together. Her beauty of spirit will live on through anyone she touched. Rest in peace Dorothy Jean – you will be deeply missed but never, ever forgotten.

In honoring her memory, we invite all who knew and loved Dorothy to celebrate her life and the joy she brought to so many of us. A celebration of life will be announced in the forthcoming weeks and will occur in SC as well as NJ. There were too many lives she touched to have just one. Our family will contact everyone when the date and location are confirmed.

In lieu of flowers, we request that donations be made to the following charities – which meant so much to her.

Tunnel to Towers Foundation - T2T.org

Wounded Warriors - woundedwarriorproject.org