Dorothy was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Leona and Joseph, whose union also produced siblings Joseph, Patricia, and Nancy. Her father died when she was 5 and her mother eventually remarried her daddy, Jacob, who patiently and lovingly raised Dorothy and her siblings to adulthood.
Dorothy was the beloved, loving, hard working mother/mom/mama of Andrew, D’Ann, Kelly, Paula, Matthew and Heidi, who miss her sorely. Stepmom of Russell and Brett. Dog mom to Ruby and cat mom to Jimmi. Unique mother-in-law of David and Randy. Dearest Grandma/Grammy/Gram/Gram Gram of Roxanne, Jesse Jean, Erin, Kelsey, and Matthew, granddog Tucker Gene, and grandcats Rodney, Scarlett, Mimi, and Kiddi. Sweet Gigi to Emily, Terry, Kali, Finn, Oliver, Nolan, and Carter. Devoted Aunt Dodie/Dorky to Beth, William, Joey, Laine, Dawn, and Sara. Dorothy was a special friend to many, including Janice, Joan, Marge, Peggy, Nancy, Karen, and Steve. She was also beloved by countless members of the former Redemption Church in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Among her closest connections were her soulmate pastor, David Rebey, and his wife, Patty, who affectionately called her Honey Pie. She was the devoted neighbor to her Capricorn sister, Lisa, and Mae M., both of whom Dorothy loved to bake for and catch up with on her front porch. Loving friend and former neighbor of Greg and John and Joyce and Jerry. Dearest friend of Anna and Earl, with whom she shared granddaughter Jesse Jean. Preceded in death by her parents, stepson Brett, niece Dawn, brother Joseph, sister Nancy, and friends Anna and Earl, Joan, Janice, and Jerry.
From a young age, Dorothy formed a strong, lifelong relationship with God, achieving perfect attendance at Sunday School for 8 ½ years straight, and earning her first Bible after her first year of perfect attendance at the tender age of 11. Dorothy graduated from North Division High School in 1952. She faced many challenges throughout her life, and always managed to pick herself up and dust herself off. She often worked a full-time job and two part-time jobs to ensure that her bills were paid and her kids were taken care of. During the last years of her life, Dorothy managed several chronic health conditions and overcame many others. Through it all, she remained a pleasant and compliant patient, determined to get back on her feet, regain her independence, and remain in her home, where she lived since 1970.
Dorothy loved a good turtle sundae, diet Pepsi and iced coffee, getting her hair done, going out to eat with family and friends, going grocery shopping with her friends and daughters, enjoying the community breakfast at Martin Luther Church, going to Doors Open Milwaukee, admiring the flowers in her planters, feeding the birds, and just getting out of the house to go wherever the wind blew her. She was spontaneous and fun.
Dorothy can best be described using words such as grit, tenacity, humor, generosity, sarcasm, wit, perseverance, understanding, forgiveness, and open-mindedness. She will never be forgotten.
A celebration of Dorothy's life will take place on May 8, 2025 in the Chapel of the Chimes at Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 W Capitol Dr, Brookfield, WI 53005. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:30am, memorial service starting at 11:30am.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC) of Milwaukee or the charity of your choice.