Mary Dobis, 82, of Knowlton Township, NJ, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2025, in East Stroudsburg, PA.
Born on December 24, 1943, in Lopuszka, Poland, Mary was the cherished daughter of Jan and Maria Bochnak. She immigrated from Germany to the United States in 1957, where she built a vibrant and fulfilling life rooted in hard work, community, and joy.
Mary dedicated many years of her career to production at Hoffman-La Roche in Belvidere, NJ. Beyond her professional life, she was an energetic and beloved presence in her community. She was a proud and active member of the Garden Club, the Western Nights Dance Club, and the Blairstown Knitwits—groups that brought her tremendous happiness and lifelong friendships.
Known for her creativity and warm spirit, Mary often made custom costumes for holiday parties and was widely admired for her beautiful flowers. Her passion for music, especially polka and country western, was infectious—she loved attending concerts, polka dancing, and sharing these joys with others.
Mary’s deep compassion extended to animals as well. She lovingly cared for her pets over the years, including Bobbie, Robbie, and her parrots Doc, Mickey, and Maggie, along with many others.
In recognition of her lifelong volunteer work, Mary was honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Award from the White House, awarded by President Barack Obama—an acknowledgment of the kindness and dedication she so freely gave to others.
Mary is survived by her partner, Paul Cosoni; her sister-in-law, Joan Dobis and Carolyn Dobies (Stanley); as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family across the United States and Germany. She also leaves behind countless dear friends whose lives were touched by her laughter, generosity, and light.
Mary will be remembered for her vibrant personality, her love of life, and the deep connections she fostered with people and animals alike.
A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday November 8th from 1-2:30PM, with a memorial service to follow at 2:30PM at Newbaker Funeral Home, Blairstown, NJ.