Obituary of Dorothy M Groves

Dorothy Mae Clarke Groves, 97, was born on March 25, 1927 in Roselle Park, NJ to the late Louis Eugene and Magda Elizabeth (Nielsen) Clarke. She was the first of their five children: Rudolph Louis, Marjorie Giselle, Sidney Arthur, and Jerome Waldemare and the only one to outlive all of them. Dorothy grew up in the Bronx, NY surrounded by a loving, close-knit extended family. She always valued and cherished family realizing that their deep love and strong bond for one another was unparalleled. Playing ball and going to Rockaway Beach were two of her favorite activities to do back then. Dorothy attended public schools and received her GED later in life. When in her late teens, her family relocated to Anderson-town, NJ where she met and married her "Al", Alexander Stewart Groves on December 31, 1949 at Mt. Pisgah AME Church in Washington, NJ. Dorothy was very outgoing with a "flair" for style and had a caring personality that always made you feel loved. Her community involvement included: writing and sending care packages to soldiers overseas during WWII; locally serving as PTA President and Girl Scout Leader; donating goods and financially supporting charitable organizations such as the Kidney Foundation, Adventist Disaster Relief Agency (ADRA), and Good Shepherd Home; writing to government officials at the state & national levels expressing her concerns over Social Security, Medicare, and establishing quality Home Care Councils; and being a dedicated voter. Dorothy worked at NJ Central Power & Light Co. as well as NJ Bell Telephone Co. at one time and also retired from the NJ State Hagedorn Sanitarium after 20+ years of service. As a Human Services Technician, Dorothy gave more than 110% care to the residents which was her gift as a genuine "Nurse" person. Dorothy's work ethic continued in over sixty years of dedicated service at the Hillcrest Seventh-day Adventist Church, Port Murray, NJ. serving as the Secretary for the Personal Ministries & Sabbath School departments; Pianist; 50+ Senior Leader; Church Historian; and assistant with Community Services endeavors, Vacation Bible School, Investment projects, and Nursing Home Ministry. Dorothy's special interests and hobbies included: conducting Bible studies; studying Scripture & Christian literature; scrapbooking; collecting pictures, newspaper articles, & holiday cards; watching TV basketball games; crocheting; and being a member of the Mansfield Seniors Club. Dorothy is survived by: daughter, Patricia L. Groves Benton (James); son, Alexander T. Groves; 7 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; special friends – Trimmer family, Jean, Ina, Linda; nieces, nephews, friends, and a host of others. Family and friends may pay their respects on Monday June 10, 2024 from 10-11 AM at the Faith Discovery Church. 33 Brass Castle Rd. Washington, NJ 07882. A funeral service celebrating Dorothy's life will begin at 11:00 AM on Monday at the church. Donations may be made in Dorothy's name to a Alzheimer's or Dementia charity. Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Warren Hills Memorial Home. To send an online condolence please visit www.warrenhillsmemorialhome.com