Obituary of Dianne H. Dowd

Dianne Hess Dowd, age 81 of Port Murray, NJ, suddenly passed away December 22, 2022.

Dianne was born in Kearny, NJ and had lived in Livingston with her husband William J. Dowd Jr, before moving to Clinton Twp. over fifty years ago.

Dianne was an avid ice skater and had started giving skating lessons at South Mountain Arena in West Orange NJ at the young age of 13. She would go on to skate professionally in a sport that she loved. Dianne continued to skate into her late 50’s. She was also a proud owner of a clothing store in Clinton NJ named “Bottoms Up” in the 1970’s. Throughout her life, Dianne enjoyed being a stay at home mom, working in the family business Graceland Memorial Park until the time of her passing, loved the sun, going to the beach every summer, sitting out by the pool, going to the casino, shopping, skiing with the family, using her iPad, and spending time with her kids and grandkids. Dianne was a very unselfish person and put everyone else before herself. She loved her family more than words could ever say and would do anything she could to keep them safe and help with any issue they may have had in their lives. When the words strong and determined were ever mentioned, you thought of Dianne/Mom/Nanny/Nan/Grammy Dowd.

Dianne’s favorite holiday was Christmas and she loved decorating and shopping for family and friends. Her home was beautifully decorated and ready for every Holiday Season. Dianne/Mom/Nanny/Nan/Grammy will be missed by every heart she touched in her life.

Dianne has been reunited with her husband William who passed away 5 years earlier and is survived by her seven loving children, William J. Dowd, III of Clinton Twp; Megan Grish and her husband, Steve of Fort Myers, FL; Elizabeth Dowd of Kannapolis, NC; Wayne Dowd of Wind Gap, PA; Kelly Hadsall and her husband, Dave of Clinton Twp; Kenneth Dowd and his wife, Janice of Bloomsbury; and Chris Dowd and his wife, Heather of Franklin Twp. She is also survived by her twelve wonderful grandchildren, six precious great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.