Obituary of Clara Margaret Szott

Clara Margaret Szott, age 94, was called to her eternal home on March 30th, 2025. Her daughter, Marilyn, and son, Michael, were at her bedside at Allied Services Hospice Center

in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, as she peacefully passed.

Daughter of David Otto Dinter and Margaret Riker, Clara was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Edmund John Szott, her parents, David and Margaret Dinter, her brother, David

Dinter, and her sister, Judith Dougherty, as well as her nephews, Kevin and Steven Dougherty.

Clara is survived by her daughter, Marilyn Bellantoni, of Hanover Township, Pennsylvania, and

her husband Ralph Bellantoni, as well as her son, Michael Szott, of Little Ferry, New Jersey, and his girlfriend, Anita Kaloyirakis. She will be forever cherished by her granddaughter, Gemma Louise Bellantoni, and her fiance, Michael Ayers, as well as her younger granddaughter, Judith Clare Bellantoni. Clara’s memory lives on with her nephew, David Dougherty, of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, and niece, Karen Pfeifer, and her husband Edward Pfeifer, of Beverly, New Jersey.

Clara was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on October 4th, 1930. She graduated from Snyder High School, converted to Catholicism and married Edmund Szott in 1952. Clara and Edmund moved to Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, in 1962, where they raised their children. Clara was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. When both of her children entered grade school, Clara started her career in banking. She was always good with numbers and had the mind of a detective. It must have been all those years of reading mysteries. Clara was very involved in her children’s lives and volunteered as a Girl Scout leader and a Cub Scout leader for Marilyn’s troops and Michael’s dens. Along with her husband, they became members of the Knights of Columbus in Carlstadt, New Jersey, where they made close friends and participated in community service.

In 1969, Clara’s parents bought a home in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. Clara and her

Sister, Judy, brought their children to this perfect little bungalow every summer, where they

forged unforgettable memories. You would often find them sitting around the dining room table

playing cards until late in the evening. Many a gathering with friends and family took place on

the backyard patio. When the parties were over, there would be people sleeping in every room

of the house. Now that’s togetherness!

After retirement and the death of her husband, Clara moved down the shore where she eventually became a member of the Red Hat Society. Clara and her Aunt Dottie enjoyed

many excursions with their lady friends. Through Aunt Dottie, Clara met Frank Socci, a companion who won the hearts of everyone in the family.

For Clara, family always came first. She made many sacrifices so that her children had what

they needed. She was generous and never shied away from hard work. Her organizational skills were second to none. Clara loved being around people, the more the merrier. It was against her religion to eat alone. She was always there for family and friends in times of need. Her unique

sense of humor was known to induce many a belly laugh. There was no one like her on the planet and she will be sorely missed!

Visitation in Clara’s honor will be held at the Vorhees-Ingwersen Funeral Home on Thursday, April 3^rd, beginning at 10 A.M. with a Catholic Blessing and concluding at 11 A.M.  Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.