Dorothy (Leffler) Dare

Dorothy Dare (née Leffler), of Maple Shade, passed away suddenly on June 22, 2026.

Dorothy was born on January 6, 1953, in Danville, Pennsylvania, to James and Helene (née Manley) Leffler.

As a young child, Dorothy and her family, including her sisters Joanne and Patti, moved several times for her father’s career, living in many towns throughout Pennsylvania and Long Island before finally settling into a newly built home in the Hawthorne Park section of Willingboro (then Levittown), New Jersey. She grew up surrounded by love and laughter and remained close to her extended family of grandmothers, aunts, uncles, and cousins. It never took much for laughter to begin, and she cherished the memories of her childhood.

Dorothy loved growing up in Willingboro and made many close friendships that lasted throughout her life. She often spoke of playing in the woods, her school days, dances, and even cutting school. She was a proud graduate of John F. Kennedy High School, Class of 1970. Even then, she was one of a kind, full of life, a bit mischievous, full of laughter, and always ready for fun. She enjoyed working alongside her father at his shoe store in LaGorce Square in Burlington during those years.

It was during high school that she met and fell in love with Danny Schoen of Edgewater Park. Following their graduations in 1970, they became engaged and were married in June 1971. The newlyweds purchased a large home in Beverly, where they hosted countless parties, card games, and gatherings with friends. They were surprised yet overjoyed to learn they were expecting their first child and soon welcomed their daughter, Diane, in March 1972, followed by their son, Daniel Jr., in September 1974.

Dorothy loved being a mother. It was her greatest joy, and her children were her proudest accomplishments. She loved them with a fierceness matched by no other. She was actively involved in their school years at St. Joseph’s School in Beverly, serving on the PTA and organizing the annual New Year’s Eve Dance.

She also proudly served as a Burlington County Democratic Committeewoman for her district in Beverly, joining Danny and her brother-in-law Johnny in the family “business” of politics.

After her children were grown, Dorothy entered a new chapter of life. She met and married the love of her life, Fred Dare, also a Willingboro native, in August 1994. At age 40, she returned to school and earned certifications as a Phlebotomist and Electrocardiogram Technician. She worked hard, excelled in her profession, and found great satisfaction in caring for her patients. Throughout her career, she worked at West Jersey Hospital in Voorhees, The Heart House in Haddon Heights, and later for Dr. William Johnston before retiring.

Before their wedding, Fred and Dorothy purchased a sailboat, took sailing lessons, and honeymooned aboard it in a place that would become one of their favorite destinations, Veasey Cove, Maryland. Together they sailed the boat from its original berth in Philadelphia down the Delaware River, through the canal, and into the Chesapeake Bay and Bohemia River. They lovingly named their boat the Double Dare and created countless cherished memories sailing, listening to Jimmy Buffett, and enjoying crabs along the Chesapeake.

In 1999, they moved from Palmyra to Maple Shade and transformed their house into a home perfectly suited for the life they built together. They especially loved their backyard, which backed up to a branch of the Pennsauken Creek. Whether relaxing on the deck or enjoying the pool, they delighted in the beauty of nature around them. Dorothy took particular joy in watching the deer, foxes, and other wildlife that frequently visited.

It was in this home that Dorothy and Fred became grandparents and were lovingly given the names “Maw-Maw” and “Paw-Paw” by their eldest grandson Ryan, later followed by Evan and Aidan. It was in this role that they found immense joy. Dorothy was always present in her grandsons’ lives and never missed a school play, concert, sporting event, or pep rally during their years at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School. She loved picking them up from school and watching them run toward her with outstretched arms. Sleepovers with Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw became treasured traditions, with each grandson receiving plenty of one-on-one attention, special treats, and endless love. Dorothy adored Ryan, Evan, and Aidan, and they adored her in return.

Dorothy’s heart expanded once again when her son Danny and his wife Lisa welcomed Faye into their family in 2023 and formally adopted her in 2025. Seeing her son become a father brought Dorothy tremendous joy. She cherished building a relationship with her granddaughter and quickly introduced Faye to the abundant love that Dorothy shared so freely.

Dorothy was incredibly proud of her family and the beautiful way her original family of four evolved into a blended family of fifteen united by love.

Dorothy was predeceased by her beloved parents, James and Helene Leffler.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Fred, who cared for her faithfully throughout their marriage and especially during her health challenges in recent years; her daughter, Diane Schoen-Schwantes, her son-in-law Joe, and their sons Ryan, Evan, and Aidan; her son, Daniel Schoen Jr., his wife Lisa, and their daughter Faye; her sisters, Joanne Uva and her husband Ed of Burlington, and Patricia Eckert and her husband Ed of Beverly.

She was also a devoted aunt who embraced her role as “Fun Aunt Dorothy” and took great pride in watching her nieces and nephews grow into parents themselves. She is survived by Lauren McGarrigle and her husband Mike of Medford; her beloved goddaughter Adrienne Ragan and her husband Jim of Delran; Eddie Eckert III and his wife Katie of Moorestown; Jim Eckert and his wife Mary of Burlington Township; and Allison Murphy and her husband Ryan of Marlton.

Dorothy is also survived by her former husband, Dan Schoen Sr., and his wife Debra of Palmyra, as well as their daughter Elisa Schoen and her husband Rob Fields of Palmyra. Dorothy loved Elisa as her own and was overjoyed when Elisa and Rob welcomed their daughter Charleigh in June 2024. She was deeply honored when Charleigh affectionately called her “Maw-Maw.”

Dorothy cherished watching Elisa grow up and was grateful to share a special place in her life. Dorothy and Danny, along with Fred and Debbie, gave their children a remarkable gift through a friendship that transcended what is often expected of divorced families. Holidays, birthdays, graduations, and countless special occasions were celebrated together as one family gathered around Diane and Joe’s kitchen table.

She is also survived by her former sister-in-law, Lillian Schoen of Beverly, and her beloved nieces and nephew, Linda Shannon and her husband Andy of Villas, Donna Schoen-Zarzeczny of Edgewater Park, and John Schoen Jr. of Beverly.

She was predeceased by her brothers-in-law, John Schoen Sr. of Beverly and Tim Dare of Connecticut, both of whom held special places in her heart, as well as her cousin Michael Owen of Catawissa, Pennsylvania, with whom she shared an especially close bond of friendship and love.

Dorothy leaves behind many dear friends including Pam Neilsen and Sandra Campbell who became family, numerous cousins whom she loved dearly, and countless others whose lives were enriched by her friendship, kindness, laughter, and love. She lived a life filled with love, laughter, friendship, and family. Dorothy leaves behind countless memories and an immeasurable legacy in the lives of those fortunate enough to know her. If you were lucky enough to be loved by Dorothy, you were very lucky indeed.

Services will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 236 East Main Street, Maple Shade, New Jersey. Visitation will be held in the church from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m.

In Lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society, 1818 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 would be appreciated by her family.

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