Obituary of Hedwig Emily von Dohlen

Hedwig “Hedy” E. von Dohlen 

Beloved Wife, Mother and Grandmother

Hedwig Emily von Dohlen (nee Gruenwald) peacefully went Home to her Lord & Savior Jesus Christ on October 9, 2023 with daughters Irene and Pamela at her side. 

Born on May 29, 1926 in the small village of Steinen in East Prussia, Germany, Hedy was the second of six children to her parents, Adam and Helene Gruenwald.  Born and raised on the family farm until World War II separated the family, Hedy lived through the destruction the war created.  Throughout that entire time, her strong faith in God never wavered.  The family found each other and reunited at the war’s end in West Germany.  Hedy and her older sister arrived in America on July 15, 1952 on the return maiden voyage of the S.S. United States, where they joined their parents and other siblings who had arrived several months earlier.  While she loved her homeland, Hedy embraced the United States and became a proud U.S. citizen. 

Unwavering faith and devotion to family were at the heart of Hedy’s life.  She was blessed to find her true love, Henry von Dohlen (died 1985), have two daughters, who were her pride and joy, and later her grandchildren, whom she called her “medicine.”  

When the children got older, Hedy worked as an operating room nurse.  She was a voracious reader, avid gardener, strong swimmer, and excellent cook.  Hedy also enjoyed traveling with her family and keeping up with current events. She was a trusted advisor, not only to her family, but anyone who asked for advice.

Hedy was an inspiration to all who knew her, having undergone numerous health challenges including the loss of her vision.  We cherish her memory and will miss her generosity of spirit, encouragement, kindness, and most of all her love.  

Hedy is survived by her daughters, Irene (husband Dr. John McGowan) and Pamela von Dohlen, her granddaughters, Christine Grubbs (husband Dallas) and Amanda Luthy, sisters Trautel Intorp, Edith Linek and Irene Nagle, and her nephews and their families.   She is predeceased by her husband Henry, her parents, sister Hildegard Gruenwald, and brother Heinz Gruenwald.  

Visitation will be held at Gallaway & Crane Funeral Home, 101 South Finley Avenue, Basking Ridge, NJ on Friday, October 13, 2023 from 2:00-4:00 pm.  Funeral Service will be on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 10:00 am at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Hanover Cemetery in East Hanover, NJ. For further information, or to leave an online condolence message please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com