Dorothy M. Clauss

CLAUSS, Dorothy M. (nee Seaman), 91, of Woodcliff Lake, NJ, formerly of Paramus, NJ, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 20, 2013. She was born in Ridgewood, NJ to Walter and Mae Seaman. Beloved wife of the late Henry A. Clauss. Devoted mother of Charles M. Clauss and his wife Veronica; Barbara A. Manning and her companion John Harmon. Dear sister of Allen Seaman and the late Marjorie Bogart. Loving grandmother of Christina Stephens, Christer Manning, Craig and Brad Clauss, and Stepgrandmother of Kathryn Harmon. Cherished great grandmother of Jessica and Devon Stephens, Amber and Lauren Clauss, and Madison and Olivia Clauss. Loving owner of Smiley, her dog.

She lived in Bergen County her entire life. She was a graduate of Ridgewood High School and attended classes at Bergen Community College and the Ridgewood Art Institute. She also studied painting with artists Paul Burns and Justine Buck. She was a retired employee of the Westwood Board of Education.

She was a longtime member of Old Paramus Reformed Church, where she was a member of the Women’s Guild and headed Grandma's Pantry for many years. She was also a member of the Ridgewood Art Association, Children’s Book Writers Society, Bergen Poets and Bergen County Historical Society. She was a performing member of Arial Puppet Troupe and BAM Puppet Troupe. She was recognized for the published poems, "Grandma's Fetish" and "In Retropect."

The family will receive their relatives and friends at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ on Monday, 2- 4 and 7-9PM. The family will gather with their relatives and friends at the funeral home on Tuesday at 10AM for the Funeral Service. Interment will follow at Valleau Cemetery, Ridgewood, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, 2 Shelter Ln, Oakland, NJ 07436.