Dorothy Smilari, Formerly of Colts Neck, Dies at Age 88

Dorothy F. (Keller) Smilari, 88, of Lakewood, passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, at Ocean Medical Center, Brick. Mrs. Smilari was born and raised in West New York. She lived in Ridgewood, West Nyack, N.Y., and Colts Neck, before moving to Four Seasons in Lakewood, 10 years ago.

After graduating Cum Laude from William Paterson College, she taught for several years in schools in Paramus, Waldwick and West Nyack. She was an accomplished seamstress, oil painter, and photographer, and in her earlier years had worked as a photographer's model. She was a member of Amore Chapter No. 176, Order of the Eastern Star, in Bogota, for many years.

Mrs. Smilari was predeceased by her daughter, Lauren Entmacher, in 2005, as well as by her brother, Warren Keller, and her sister, Barbara Bedrosian. She is survived by her beloved husband of 69 years, Ferdinand Smilari, her daughter and son-in-law, Debbra and Lance Nazzaro, 5 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and a nephew, David Bedrosian (Sgt., Brick P.D.), as well as other relatives and friends. 

Memorial visitation will take place at O'Brien Funeral Home, 505 Burnt Tavern Road, Brick, on Saturday, March 23 from 2-3 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Smilari's memory to Deborah Hospital Foundation, 212 Trenton Road, Browns Mills, NJ 08015, would be appreciated.

For further information or to send condolences, please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com.