Sharon A. Dorne-Andelora, Ph.D., 80, of Allentown and Lavallette, N.J. died Jan. 29, 2024, in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, after a valiant fight against pulmonary fibrosis.

She and her husband, Robert Andelora, were married 39 years in February.

Born Nov. 3, 1943, in Morristown, N.J., she was the daughter of the late William and Eleanor (Dygert) Haddon.

She grew up in Parsippany, N.J., later living in Sparta, N.J. and raising her children in Upper Montclair, N.J.

After retiring, she split her time between Allentown and Ocean Beach Unit 3, Lavallette.

An educator and pioneer for women in leadership, she earned two Master degrees from Montclair State University and completed her doctorate from Rutgers University in 1982.

She taught business at Morris Knolls High School, Katherine Gibbs School, Leonia High School and spent 23 years teaching typing and computer applications at Woodcliff Lake Middle School, N.J., retiring in 1999.

She authored textbooks for both Southwestern and McGraw Hill.

Above all, however, her greatest joy was her two daughters and later, her husband.

Before their marriage, she spent 15 years as a single mom raising two daughters, all while accomplishing so much academically and professionally.

Finding love with her soul mate fulfilled the rest of her days, enjoying their 39 years together gallivanting on trips and playing slots at the Borgata.

In addition to her loving husband, she is survived by daughters Wendy Pursell and her husband, Richard, of Orefield, Meridith Dorner and her husband, Doug Rafeld, of Fogelsville; sister Trudie Beth Wanchow and her husband, John, of Carmel, Ind.; grandchildren Adam, Ella and Marjorie; and step-grandchildren Sara and Bryan.

She was predeceased by her brother, Warren D. Haddon.

Her service will be private, at the convenience of her family.

A celebration of her well-lived life will be announced in the spring.

Expressions of sympathy may be made at heintzelmancares.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sharon Andelora Endowed Scholarship with PDK to support high school students going to college majoring in education.

Checks payable to PDK International may be mailed c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Schnecksville, PA 18078-0196.

Arrangements were made by Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., Schnecksville.