Dorothy Wasik Thomas, 87, died peacefully on August 14, 2026.

Dorothy (Dottie) was born in Philadelphia, PA, to the late Joseph and Catherine Schmittner (nee Corby). Her early years were spent in the Swampoodle section of Philadelphia. Dottie went on to graduate from John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls’ High School.

At her Sweet 16 party, Dottie was introduced to Stanley (Stan) Wasik through her cousin, Dickie Corby. They were married on September 12, 1959. They started their life in Sharon Hill, PA, and eventually moved to Bridgewater, NJ, with three children in tow, Kathy, Steven and Susan. They enjoyed many happy years in NJ, growing their family to 6 with the addition of Michael.

Dottie was widowed in 1977 when she lost Stan. As a suddenly single mother of four, she courageously enrolled in the local community college. Dottie earned an Associate Degree in Marketing, making the Dean’s List each Semester. Dottie was especially proud when her Marketing professor requested permission to use her final Marketing paper as part of his lesson plan.

Dottie entered the workforce at 42, working at AT&T and Lucent Technologies.

In 1984, Dottie met Kenneth (Ken) Thomas, a widower. They found love again combining their families and starting a new life.

Dottie enjoyed her time at AT&T and eventually retired from Lucent Technologies. As they entered the next phase of their lives, Dottie and Ken retired to Greenbriar Oceanaire, in Waretown, NJ. There they lived retirement life fully, enjoying a rich life in the Greenbriar Community with many dear friends. They both enjoyed playing golf and bocce ball (which they often won). Dottie enjoyed spending time with her Greenbriar friends, playing cards (Dottie was a wiz playing at canasta), going to the pool, plays, lunches, “Do Nothing Club” activities, and going to Sunday Mass followed by Brunch at “Kristy’s Diner”.

Dottie loved entertaining at home and hosting holidays and creating memories together. Dottie loved the quality time spent with the family at the shore, by the pool in her community watching her grandchildren play.

Dottie fiercely loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Dottie and Ken built lasting memories with their grand and great grandchildren, going to Fantasy Island, the beaches on LBI and the Barnegat Bay Beach, the Popcorn Zoo, and the pool. These days were topped off with an amazing dinner courtesy of Dottie’s exceptional cooking skills learned from her mother.

Dottie loved being a Philly girl, rooting for the Phillies and Eagles, jitterbug, oldies music, old movies (especially “A Quiet Man”), and all the goes along with coming of age in the 1950’s.

What Dottie loved most is the Lord. Her strong faith sustained her through her journey.

Dottie was a devoted woman of faith and a communicant of St. Mary’s R.C. Church in Barnegat, NJ. Dottie enjoyed the annual “Woman’s Day of Prayer” and “Advent Day of Prayer”. Dottie was a Team Member for the “Lenton Day of Prayer” and a “Monica’s Daughter” volunteer.

Dottie is preceded in death by her first husband, Stanley Wasik, her second husband, Kenneth Thomas, her parents, Catherine and Joseph, her brother John, and her dear son, Michael Wasik.

Surviving to cherish her memory are her loving children, Kathy Toye and husband Chuck, Steven Wasik, Susan Brennan and husband Michael. Stepchildren, Kenny Thomas, Karl Thomas and wife Elise, Jennifer Hartlaub and husband Jerry; her cherished grandchildren, Danielle (Adam), Chuck, Kaitin (partner Jairo), Kathryn (Cesar), Emily, Elizabeth, Jacob (Russ), McKenna (partner Gio), Rebekah, Samantha, Sage, Wyatt, Chloe, Carsen (Kayla) and Amber; her dear great grandchildren, Brandon, Liv, Gavin, Charles, Jayden and baby Colter.

A special thank you to Kaitlin and her partner, Jairo. During Mom’s time after Ken passed, their care and devotion gave Mom the security she needed to live fully and continue living the life she wanted in her home, and spending time with dear friends. Mom considered Kait and Jairo her “guardian angels” and referred to their trio as the “Three Musketeers”. They enjoyed a lot of laughs, Kait’s excellent cooking, quite a few adventures, and companionship at home, all soothed Mom’s heart.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at St. Mary's Parish, 747 W. Bay Avenue, Barnegat.

A Celebration of life will be held from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Cusick Funeral Home, 80 Mountain Avenue, Somerville.

Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, 43 Wortman Street, Somerset.