Dora Lillian Pedersen

ANDOVER TWP. -- Dora Lillian (Pignaloso) Pedersen, 44, died Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009, at home.

Born in Flemington, Dora was raised in Hunterdon County and lived in Sparta prior to moving to Andover Township. She was a graduate of Voorhees High School and Kings College in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. A coach and teacher, Dora worked at Lakewood Christian School, North Warren High School and Northwest Christian School. She was a member of Lafayette Federated Church.

Dora Pedersen was predeceased by two sisters, Darlene Brandner and Debbie Gibson, who are already in heaven welcoming Dora.

She is survived by her husband, Eric Pedersen; her son, Kristian and her daughter, Kirsten, both living at home; her parents, Rev. Michael Pignaloso and Dorothy Pignaloso, of Califon; her siblings, Donna Kendrick of Changewater, Doris Sisto of Landing, Rev. Michael Pignaloso Jr. of Washington, Dawn Farley of Easton, Pa., Daniel Pignaloso of Stafford, Va., Dorthy Panza of Randolph and Diane Parker of Green Township; her sister-in-law, Karin Burke of Lake Mohawk; her mother and father-in-law, Sandy and Chris Pedersen, of Lake Lenape; 34 nieces and nephews; and five great-nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Lafayette Federated Church, 180 Route 15, Lafayette. Interment will follow in Sparta Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and on Saturday from 10-11 a.m. at the church.

Memorial donations may be made to Northwest Christian School, 92 County Route 519, Newton, NJ 07860, or Veritas Christian Academy, 385 Houses Corner Road, Sparta, NJ 07871. Online condolences may be offered at www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com.