Obituary of Dorothea Nauta

Dorothea (“Thea” “Dottie” “Grammy”) Nauta, 81, of White Township, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2021 at her home.

Dorothea was born in Paterson, New Jersey to Hans Steiger and Louise Lorenzen Steiger on July 12, 1939.  She went to Boonton High School, Class of 1957, where she met her devoted husband Michael.  They married in 1960, had 3 children, and 45 wonderful years together.  They lived in beautiful homes in New Jersey, South Carolina, Georgia, and retired together in the Outer Banks of NC.  She was foremost a homemaker and mother, but also worked as a bank teller for many years at various banks in New Jersey and South Carolina.  She loved celebrations with family and friends most of all; but also enjoyed summer vacations at the Outer Banks, reading, cooking, knitting, sewing, bowling and playing Bridge, Dominoes, and Mahjong.  She was well known for her skilled baking and famous Christmas cookies.  Dorothea also had a special connection with all the family dogs.  She volunteered at her children’s schools and with Meals on Wheels.  Dorothea and her husband Michael also enjoyed travelling and took many trips across the US, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Europe.

Dorothea is survived by her children:  Debra Nauta-Rodriguez and husband Mauricio of Alexandria, Virginia, Karen Nauta Healy and husband David of Belvidere, New Jersey, and Thomas Nauta and wife Kathryn of Sparta, New Jersey; her sister and brother-in-law Toska and John Mungo of Toano, Virginia, and her sister-in-law, Nancy Nauta Penslien of Rocklin, California; her grandchildren, Nicholas Healy, Samantha Healy Putcher, Juan Lukas Rodriguez, Benjamin Healy, Alexandra Nauta, Alek Rodriguez, Michael Nauta and Jack Nauta; her great-grandchildren, Hunter Healy, Sadie Healy and Arlo Putcher; and her nieces and nephews Paul Mungo, Todd Mungo, Janice Edwards, and Ed Penslien. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Michael Nauta; her parents Hans and Louise Steiger; a nephew John Mungo.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 PM Sunday, February 28, 2021 at MacFadden Funeral Home, 325 Hardwick Street, Belvidere, NJ.  A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 AM. Monday, March 1, 2021 at St. Patrick Church, 327 Greenwich Street, Belvidere, NJ.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association of New Jersey, 1600 Route 22 East, Union, NJ  07083.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Dorothea’s extended family, friends and the doctors and nurses of Atlantic Health System and Hackettstown Hospital.