Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Dottie Gutenkauf, A Fighter to the End

Dan reports that Dottie Gutenkauf has passed.

If by chance you didn't know her, read about Dottie Gutenkauf's life in her own words here

 After being diagnosed with ocular melanoma several years ago, Dottie expressed her feelings in poetry about now having to relinquish her "universal donor" status.

She went on to become an activist for awareness of the disease, often wearing her Ocular Melanoma Foundation T-shirt to public meetings as she continued her civic involvement in Plainfield.
Here she is wearing her "EYE AM NOT ALONE" T-shirt while receiving recognition from Mayor Adrian O. Mapp as an outstanding citizen of the Third Ward at the May 2015 Town Meeting.
She took part in her last Democratic City Committee reorganization in June, pictured here with the incoming chairman, Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, and the outgoing chairman, Assemblyman Jerry Green. She served as an official of the committee for many years and Green acknowledged her value to the organization.

Her value to Plainfield is immeasurable. Strong in her views and powerful in action, she will be long remembered by all who knew her.

--Bernice
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13 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 15, 2015 at 11:49 AM

    RIP Dottie, your dedication to the city was, and will continue to be, inspirational.

    Richard Stewart

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  2. AnonymousDecember 15, 2015 at 12:08 PM

    May she rest in peace. A friend of mine on many fronts will be missed but not forgotten . Norman X Johnson

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  3. PlainfieldViewDecember 15, 2015 at 1:41 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. AnonymousDecember 15, 2015 at 1:54 PM

    Dottie will be remembered for her dedication to the City of Plainfield. Her service to humanity will never be forgotten. Rest in heavenly peace Dottie and use Roberts Rule of Order to keep order. You will be missed!!!

    Dee Dameron

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  5. BobDecember 15, 2015 at 3:58 PM

    Thank you, Bernice. Dottie was someone who loved Plainfield and worked to make this a better town to live in. She was a friend of mine and will be missed. I spoke with her Thursday and am so happy I had that chance. I will keep her soul and her family in my prayers. She was a blessing to everyone who knew her.

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  6. UnknownDecember 15, 2015 at 4:17 PM

    Very sad to hear this news. Libby and I extend our sympathy to Dottie's family and friends. She will be missed.

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  7. RobDecember 15, 2015 at 7:19 PM

    May she be rewarded for her hard work and dedication to the city she favored with her presence.

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  8. AnonymousDecember 15, 2015 at 10:05 PM

    I will miss Dottie's wisdom and her priceless knowledge. I had the utmost respect for her. What a loss to Plainfield. May she take her rest with her Joe.

    Nancy Jordan

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  9. Jackie S.December 16, 2015 at 10:19 AM

    I'm sorry to hear of her passing. Different times I met up with her, she was always pleasant to me and so passionate about the city. Her voice in town will be missed.

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  10. AnonymousDecember 16, 2015 at 10:24 AM

    Dottie will be sorely missed, especially on Wednesday nights.

    RB

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousDecember 16, 2015 at 12:16 PM

      Dottie was a force of nature and truly one in a million. She was a dear and cherished friend to Linda and me, we shared many many fun times over the past 15 or so years. Dinner and movie nights, trips to The Daily Show tapings, We shared subscriptions to The Shakespeare Theater with Joe and Dottie for many years and attended all the performances. We broke bread countless times with her and Joe and they shared all our celebrations and losses. She was a political and philosophical mentor to me, and a loving soul sister. I truly don't know what I'll do without her. My heart is broken.

      May I suggest that someone in Plainfield start a movement to have a plaque dedicated to her and Joe to be installed at the new Muhlenberg Emergency Room? NOBODY worked harder than them to keep Muhlenberg's services available to Plainfield. Nobody.

      Much love Dottie and Joe. You have truly changed the world.

      Joan Hervey and Linda Geczi

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  11. AnonymousDecember 17, 2015 at 9:01 AM

    *hmm I thought I posted*

    I can't remember not knowing Mrs Gutenkauf, or Dottie as she made sure I called her. She was a fighter who didn't care what anyone thought about it. She'll be missed.

    David Rutherford

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  12. AnonymousDecember 17, 2015 at 11:00 AM

    Just found out there will be a memorial on March 19 at the Presbyterian Church in Plainfield. Epic concert worthy of our Dottie. Save the date, details to follow.
    Joan Hervey

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