Dorothy Vanette, 66, of Cherry Hill, NJ, passed away on July 9, 2015, after heroically fighting cancer and related health problems.

Dorothy is survived by her son, Christopher; her brother, Joseph and his wife, MaryAnn; her brother, Leo and his wife, Kat; her aunt, Mary; her nieces and nephews, Jennifer, Ashley, Bryan, Kerry, Marie, and Mary Kate; Bryan's mother, Donna; and other relatives and friends. She also cherished the company of her four cats, Bernie, Jeter, Matsui and Tino; and her parrot, Toby.

Dorothy was born Dorothy DiNorcia in Brooklyn, NY, to Theresa and Joseph, Sr. She was a graduate of New Utrecht High School in Brooklyn in 1966. She received an Associate of Applied Science Degree from the College of Staten Island in June 1976 and became a registered nurse. Later in life, she earned a Bachelor's of Secondary Education of Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in May 1994 and a Master's in Post-Secondary Adult Education, also from UNLV, in May 1995, completing the program in one year while earning a 4.0 GPA. She worked at various health care related jobs in her career, including as a hospital nurse in the maternity ward, a teacher of health occupation students, and a supervisor at specialty nursing care facilities. She worked up until her health prevented her from doing so, but she fully intended to rehabilitate herself and go back to work once she was feeling better.

She was a lifelong New York Yankees fan and enjoyed watching her favorite player, Derek Jeter. She was an excellent basketball player in high school. Dorothy had a sharp mind, particularly in her chosen field of medicine, and she was pleased that every American could now afford health insurance coverage. She loved Snoopy and the Peanuts gang. She enjoyed flowers and planted rose bushes in her front yard. Dorothy loved to cook and bake, and she often experimented in the kitchen to recreate her favorite dishes. Dorothy raised her son by herself from when he was 3 years old and often said everything she did and everything she sacrificed in life was to give her son a good life. She was proud to see her son graduate from college and law school.

Pursuant to her wishes, there will be no viewing or services for Dorothy. However, friends and loved ones are invited to remember Dorothy with a donation to The Animal Orphanage, P.O. Box 1363, 419 Cooper Rd, Voorhees, NJ 08043 or Cape Fear Parrot Sanctuary, c/o Ces Erdman, 6515 Old Fort Rd., Wilmington, NC 28403.