Dora E. Koehler

Dora Koehler, 70, of Pompton Plains, passed away on October 15, 2025.

Born in Cicero, Illinois, Dora was the eldest of three children and the loving daughter of Edward and Anna Niwinski. Raised in a home where both of her parents were deaf, Dora became fluent in American Sign Language from a young age - a skill she carried proudly throughout her life.

She spent her early childhood in Buchanan, New York and later moved to New Jersey, graduating from Garfield High School in 1973. Dora turned her gift of sign language into a career as a sign language interpreter at Passaic County Technical School in Wayne, where she worked for nearly 30 years. She was passionate about her work, finding purpose and fulfillment in helping others communicate and feel seen. She made many friends there, and often said she had no desire to retire - she loved what she did too much.

Dora raised her two children in Haledon and later settled in Pompton Plains, where she spent the last 30 years. Outside of work, Dora lived a full and joyful life. She was an avid reader, especially drawn to psychological thrillers by her favorite author, Freida McFadden. She enjoyed long walks, bike rides, and playing bingo. Dora also loved to travel and fondly remembered adventures like a Disney Cruise and a memorable trip to Maui. She had recently been looking forward to her next big journey - a long-anticipated visit to Alaska.

But more than anything, Dora treasured her role as a grandmother. She was blessed to live with her grandchildren and relished the opportunity to be part of their daily lives. She would proudly talk about them to anyone who would listen, her eyes lighting up with every story. Time with them was her greatest joy.

Dora is lovingly survived by her son, Brian; her daughter, Dawn; her grandchildren, Samantha and Joshua; her brother, Michael Niwinski and his wife Nancy; and her sister, Susan Niwinski.