Dorota (Dorothy) Kowtko McCord, a devoted wife, mother, daughter and sister, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Dec. 29, 2023, of cancer. She was 47. Born May 24, 1976, in Cieplice Śląskie-Zdrój in the Jelenia Gora district of Poland, she was a longtime New Jersey resident before moving to Ocala in 2006. She graduated from Brick Township High School in Brick Township, N.J., and went on to earn an associate's degree in business from The Boyd School in Pittsburgh, double majoring in business and in travel and tourism. Dorota started her career as a gate agent for Continental Airlines at Newark International Airport. She later worked as a corporate travel agent for Carlson Wagonlit Corporate Travel Agency in Edison, N.J. She subsequently served as an administrative assistant for Nelson Engineering in Neptune, N.J., leaving in 2004 to focus on raising her two children, who along with her husband, Sean, were the center of her world. Despite having been diagnosed with various cancers over the past decade, she kept an impeccable home. She attended to the many tasks that go into running a household efficiently and with grace, often on her own while Sean was away working in remote areas of Alaska. She enjoyed reading, traveling and watching movies, particularly horror films and suspense. She loved dancing and was a beacon of light in a sometimes-dark world She loved fashion and was very stylish, dressed to perfection no matter the occasion. Her travels periodically took her back to her native Poland, and she especially relished trips to Alaska, Nevada and Arizona. One of her proudest moments was obtaining her U.S. citizenship before marrying her high school sweetheart at the age of 23. She was devoted to her family both immediate and extended, was incredibly strong and never complained no matter what life sent her way Friends and family noted her inner and outer beauty and the sincerity and kindness she brought to her interactions with others. She was considerate, compassionate and caring, and persevered through her personal health trials with great dignity and strength, never displaying self-pity, bitterness or anger about her unfortunate circumstances. Many commented that she was the nicest person they had ever met. She made others feel important and made any room she entered brighter. She is survived by her beloved husband of 22 years, Sean; a son, Shane, and a daughter, Alia; her parents, Teresa and Stanislaw Kowtko; a brother, Tomasz Kowtko (Suzie); a nephew, Max; and a niece, Mia, all of Ocala. Visitation will be from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5 in the chapel at Trinity Catholic Church. A Funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6 at Blessed Trinity. A reception will be held immediately afterward in the parish hall. Donations in Dorota's name can be made to Blessed Trinity Catholic Church or to the American Cancer Society. The family wishes to thank The Rev. Patrick Sheedy and Blessed Trinity staff and volunteers, as well as the staff of Hospice of Marion County (West Group) for their support and kindness during this very trying time, and the Byrnes, Koovits and Ross families for their support with arrangements.