Dora Sammer

Dora H. Sammer, age 91 of Wyckoff, NJ formerly of Allendale died on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Dora was born in Osterholz Scharmbeck, Germany and immigrated to America in 1951. After living in the Bronx, NY, she became a resident of Allendale for fifty-five years before moving into the Vista, in Wyckoff, four years ago.

Dora is survived by her daughter, Dina Simonetti and her husband Steve of Wayne, NJ, her son, Peter Sammer and his wife, Tara of Fishkill, NY and her daughter-in-law, Wendy Widmer Sammer of Cary, NC. Her six grandchildren; Alexa, Lindsay, Steven, Ashley, Tyler, and Dylan brought her immense joy along with her nieces and nephews. She has two surviving brothers, Henry Schulze of Sound Beach, NY and Wilhelm Schulze of Germany. Dora was predeceased by her husband Hans Herman Sammer, her son, Hans Henry Sammer, her parents, Georg and Elisabeth Schulze, her brother Heinz Schulze, and sister Erika Schrage.

Dora was the second oldest of five siblings. Although they grew up in meager circumstances, Dora fondly remembers a happy childhood. Notwithstanding that some of that childhood was spent during wartime and post war devastation. The family had an advantage in that they had a strong Matriarch, Elisabeth. Dora has recounted many circumstances where her mother took the reins during a predicament and led the way to a resolution. That fortitude and stability was built into Dora. It was how she was able to get an education and funds to take the largest gamble of her young life, coming to America alone at eighteen years of age.

In the United States, Dora found work and prospered. She returned to school at night and secured a job at Time Life, Inc. Dora and her girlfriends attended a dance at the New York Turn Verein and that evening she met Hans. A beautiful stroke of luck for both of them. The two were married in 1961 and by 1966 they had moved to New Jersey with three children in tow.

Dora and Hans were active members for the New York Turn Verein, later to become the American Turners New York. Much of their social life centered around its events and both competed in many of the athletic competitions. Staying active and healthy was a center point in their lives. Volleyball, track and field, tennis, skiing, snorkeling, hiking, the list goes on. An important part of their active pursuits was socializing during and after the event. Their sporting life intertwined with their desire to travel and both competed in sporting events overseas. Their appetite for travel would eventually land them on five continents. At home they visited all fifty states, but friends and family in Florida and their Long Beach Island shore house were by far their favorites.

Dora also had a love of art. She took classes in oil painting and would go on to learn to create in many types of media. Her work graces all of her children’s homes and for that they are all grateful.

Hans passed away in August of 2023 after 62 years of marriage. This change in life, once again called on Dora's strength. She continued to live her life fully and keep in touch with all the relatives and friends who had blessed their lives. She turned to her love of art and social activities to keep joy in her life. In her final days she showed her family love and the courage of a matriarch that had led life to the fullest.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 3:00 – 7:00 PM at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, www.vpfh.com, 257 Godwin Ave. Wyckoff, NJ.

A private cremation will be held at East Ridgelawn Crematory in Clifton.

As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in Dora’s memory may be made to:
The Parkinson Foundation
5757 Waterford District Drive, Suite 310
Miami, FL 33126
www.parkinson.org

The Fyke Nature Association
P.O. Box 141, Ramsey, NJ 07446
www.fykenature.org

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