Dorothy Unchester

Dorothy Unchester
October 7, 1948 – March 5, 2026

Dorothy Unchester, 77, of Mountainside, NJ, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on March 5, 2026. The cause of death was metastatic melanoma, first diagnosed in May 2025.

Dottie was born in Rahway, NJ, and attended Rahway public schools. She graduated from Rahway High School in 1966 and later from Monmouth University, earning a BA in Education in 1970 and an MA in Counseling in 1974. While at Monmouth, Dottie was a member and officer of the Mu Alpha Phi sorority, President of the Panhellenic Inter-Sorority Council, a member of the Student Education Association, and a varsity cheerleader. In 1970, she was recognized in Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges.

Following graduation, Dottie joined TWA as a flight attendant based in Chicago. Her flying career ended after an onboard accident resulted in a fractured ankle. Flying for TWA remained one of Dottie’s proudest achievements, as aviation had been an aspiration of hers since her early years.

After recovering from her injury, Dottie began her teaching career in Matawan, NJ. While teaching, she continued her studies at Monmouth University and completed her MA in Counseling in 1974. She later joined the counseling staff in the Marlboro School District, where she worked until 1980. Dottie was elected to the Mountainside Board of Education and served from 1985 to 1988. She later returned briefly to teaching in Mountainside from 1994 to 1996.

Dottie was a strong, independent, and creative woman who was deeply patriotic and spiritual. In the 1970s she wore a bracelet honoring a POW and took great joy in hosting July 4th gatherings at her home, complete with American flag cakes and patriotic group sing-alongs. Following 9/11, Dottie volunteered with a neighbor and friend at ‘Ground Zero Food Service” providing hot meals to the first responders from a pop-up site in lower Manhattan. Her spirituality was reflected in her kindness and generosity, particularly in her care for children and those in need.

Dottie is survived by her husband of 47 years, John Unchester of Mountainside; her son Tom and daughter Sally; her daughter-in-law Brandi Brezina Unchester; and her grandchildren Bailey and Kelsey Unchester. She is also survived by her mother-in-law andJohn’s stepmother Ann Unchester of Mountainside. Dottie was predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Rose Hagerty.

A memorial service will be held at Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home in Westfield, NJ, on March 28, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at the Mountainside Elks Club from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that friends consider a donation in Dottie’s memory to Center for Hope Hospice and Palliative Care, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 (908-889-7780; cfhh.org).

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