Dorothy M. Strohlein Maraziti
What do you remember about Dorothy? Share your stories and photos here, and invite others to come share their memories.
Dorothy M. Maraziti (Nov 20, 1925 - Oct 23, 2022) died in her sleep, at her son Albert's home. Dorothy was born in Newark NJ, the eldest child of William H. & Mary A. Strohlein. She was raised in Nutley NJ, Jersey City NJ, & two wonderful extended summers at Lake Parsippany, NJ (there were then only 50
homes around the lake). Dorothy shunned playing with dolls, for she was a tomboy. She would rather be outside running races, climbing trees, or playing with the boys. Her father was an apartment building superintendent & a backyard auto-mechanic. Dorothy was his helper. She learned many valuable
mechanical, automotive, & repair skills that served her well for a lifetime.
The young Dorothy was fascinated watching planes from outside the simple fence at Newark Airport. She dreamed of being a stewardess. That was not possible, since one needed to be a Registered Nurse & there were no family finances for that. Her revised plan was to be an airplane mechanic. That
too was not possible, since prior to WW-II women were not permitted to hold such jobs. Dorothy was a smart little girl; she entered first grade at 4yo. She graduated high school & immediately began work as a secretary. Dorothy helped support her mother's now single parent household with three children. Her
41yo immigrant Mother (w/ a 5th grade education) went to school & became a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Dorothy married young & had a son (Russell Stephan Spriggs); the marriage was short lived. She married Albert M. Maraziti II in 1958 & moved to his hometown of Boonton NJ, a small hamlet that had no traffic light & lots of Maraziti relatives. There they raised two sons: Albert Michael III & Michael Albert. Dorothy was widowed in 1977 when her husband Albert had Multiple Myeloma (cancer). She moved to Port St. Lucie, FL in mid-1980 to escape NJ winter & be near Michael and his family. She treasured the time with her two grandchildren Michael John & Brandie Nicole. Dorothy moved to Cumming GA in 1993 to be with her son Albert. She remained very active, outside gardening & helping with Albert's small goat farm; swimming a mile 3x/wk at 85yo. Dorothy took no prescription medication, but did take a plethora of nutritional supplements! She was last admitted to a hospital 60yrs ago, when she gave birth to Michael. Dorothy continued to confidently & safely drive into her 93rd year, having never received a Moving Violation.
Dorothy did some traveling. She & her husband Albert drove to Mexico in 1967 (before any infrastructure improvements for the Mexican Olympics). They traveled on treacherous rainwashed trails over the mountains. They saw historical archaeological sites (pyramids, catacombs, etc) that were
buried deep within the forest; they are now highly developed & commercialized. Dorothy, her husband, & some family traveled to Puerto Rico & the US Virgin Islands in the mid 1970s. She joined family members in the 1980s for travels to the Grand Canyon & the US Southwest; Germany & the Black Forest; France to see the Louvre & Notre Dame; China & the Great Wall. Repeated trips were made with family to visit relatives in Italy; see Rome & the Colosseum, the Vatican & St. Peters. An impromptu small audience with Pope John Paul I was arranged by a family friend from Boonton who worked at the Vatican!
Dorothy's spirit remains with family & friends she dearly loved. Her legacy endures through her gifts to: Boonton Historical Society, Athens [GA] Land Trust, Eagle Ranch, St. Labre Indian School.
Dorothy died on Oct 23 - the anniversary date of her wedding with Albert. Her remains will be cremated. A cemetery stone has been placed in Boonton, next to her husband Albert's. We love you, God bless you Dorothy!
Sosebee Funeral Home, Canton, GA is honored to serve the family. Sosebeefuneralhome.com 770-479-2131