Dorothy P. Romaine

Proud of the fact that she was born and raised in Ridgewood, Dot was a resident of Emerson since 1965 where she served on the Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Environmental Commission, in the capacity of Property Maintenance Official. As a Republican activist, Dot was President of the Emerson Republican Club as well as Municipal Chair of the Republican Municipal Committee. She had also served as Vice Chair of the 39th Republican Legislative District and was an officer of the Northeast Republican Organization. In addition, Dot was President of the Bergen County Women’s Republican Club, served two terms as President of the New Jersey Federation of Republican Women and held the positions of officer of the Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey, President of the Garden Club of Teaneck-Bergenfield, and President of The Zonta Club.

For 11½-years, Dot held a seat on the Bergen Community College Board of Trustees whereby she represented the Board for 2-years as Treasurer and 7-years as Vice Chair. The College awarded her an Honorary Degree and Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society inducted her as an Honorary Member. Her commitment to the College also included contributing as a member of BCC Advisory Boards for Cooperative Education, Horticulture, and Nursing. In addition, Dot served as a member of the BCC Foundation Board where she funded two nursing scholarships. During her commitment to the College, Dot was active in the New Jersey Council of County Colleges.

Dot was also a member of the Girl Scout Council of Bergen County. For many years, she was a donor to the Englewood Hospital Foundation where there is a surgical suite in her name. In addition, she received an Outstanding Volunteer Award for over 1000-hours of volunteer service at the Hospital.

Dot’s career was in insurance, managing several local independent agencies, and was Risk Manager for the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. where she was President of the Staff Association. She was also Risk Manager for the County of Bergen. As a charter member and Past President of the Insurance Women of Northern New Jersey, she was named its first Insurance Woman of the Year culminating with a scholarship in her name. Dot was named Insurance Woman of New Jersey and The New Jersey Federation of Republican Women voted her Woman of the Year. Other honors included being named Pioneer Woman of the Year from then County Executive William “Pat” Schuber as well as being placed in the Bergen County Organization Hall of Fame.

Dot was predeceased by her parents Florence and Samuel G. Phillips, brother, Richard S. Phillips and sister, Mary P. Schultz, nephew, Edward Schultz and niece, Donna Maria Schultz. She is survived by nieces Suzanne S. Dukes, Carolyn B. Fritsch, Rosemary Schultz and nephew Joe Schultz, and stepchildren Steven Romaine, Janet Woodcock, Susan Hardesty, Donald Romaine, and Linda O’Brien.

A private funeral will be followed by a Celebration of Life on June 7,2024. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bergen Community College Foundation or the charity of your choice. For more information about Dot’s Celebration of Life, please contact Robert Saldarini at [email protected].