Dorothy Lucille Alexander

Her Story

The inspiring and remarkable life of our mother, Dorothy Lucille Alexander will not come to an end with her passing on Friday, December 4, 2020. Her loving spirit and vitality will live on in the memories of an extensive network of family and friends that she cultivated during her 87 incredible years. She passed away surrounded by loved ones at her eldest daughter Rosanne’s home in Sonoma, California where she spent the final ten months of her life. 

Dorothy was the youngest of three daughters, born in a humble home to Edgar and Hazel Arnold in Akron, Ohio on January 22, 1933.  She was forever proud of her Akron roots and the Goodrich rubber factory, which marked her family’s legacy and epitomized her down to earth attitudes and social consciousness. Dorothy supported many causes throughout her life but mostly those that directly benefited the socially marginalized and financially underprivileged.

She attended school at St. Mary’s, and met, Anthony (Tony) Alexander, the love of her life. They became high school sweethearts, got married, raised six children and went on to enjoy 60 wonderful years together. 

For a modest girl from Akron, Dorothy lived a uniquely exciting life. In 1961, they moved from Akron to Detroit, Michigan. After her children were grown, she traveled extensively with her husband, visiting most parts of the U.S. and many far-flung places across Europe, Africa, Australia and Asia. In 2000 they returned to Akron as “empty nesters”, but that nest was rarely empty. Dorothy had become matriarch of a very large extended family and always on duty as mother to six children, grandmother to twenty, and great-grandmother to twenty-seven.   

She never failed to reach out on a birthday, whether it was for one of her children, a grandchild, a great grandchild and regularly enjoyed lunch gatherings with her family. Mom made our home feel safe, warm, and always welcoming to our entire family and friends. She saw the best in others and always sought out the positive in any situation. She was consistently guilty of striking up a friendly conversation with total strangers in any almost any circumstance.

Our Mom had many passions. These included reading, long conversations about current events, following sports, playing scrabble, and golf. She was famously known for those Thursday night spaghetti dinners at the Alexander’s home, which were regularly attended by our neighborhood friends and occasionally, by the entire school football or basketball teams. Mom was an avid gardener throughout her life and far into her eighties.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Tony Alexander, her eldest son Anthony Alexander III, her beloved parents Edgar and Hazel Arnold, her siblings Lois (Abell), Narita (Lynn), and son-in-law Terry Maliskey. 

Dorothy is survived by her son Michael (and wife Deanna), daughter Rosanne (and husband Gery Short), son Stephen (and wife Lilin) daughter Dorothy, daughter Joanne, (Terry Maliskey deceased) and daughter-in-law Therese Mennell. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions, Dorothy requested that we do not hold any services or group gatherings in her name at this time. We absolutely look forward to celebrating the life of our wonderful mother with a fitting memorial celebration when public health conditions are safe. We will be sure to communicate the timing and plans at that time. 

In lieu of flowers: and since Dorothy gave regularly to the “Akron Canton Regional Food Bank”, the family encourages donations to this organization at: www.akroncantonfoodbank.org  

Additionally, her new Sonoma friends could give donations to the “Food for All/Comida para Todos” at:  https://sonomaspringsrelieffund.org Thanks you.

We will end “Her Story” here with one of Dorothy’s favorite quotes, which reminds us of her:

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded.”    Ralph Waldo Emerson

*****

Reflections at the Funeral Home for Dorothy L. Alexander

Sonoma, California

December 8, 2020

 (All)  All I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you.

~ by Gregory Norbet

 

(Stephen)     Our small group gathers today representing those who loved our mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and beloved, Dorothy Lucille Alexander. We look forward to the time we can meet and celebrate together her inspiring life.

 

(Gery) To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

 and a time to heal;

A time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, and a time to dance.

~ Ecclesiastes 3: 1-4

 

(Rosanne) Teach me your mood, O patient stars!

Who climb each night the ancient sky,

Leaving on space no shade, no scars,

No trace of age, no fear to die.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

(All)   Hail, Mary, full of grace,

the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us,

now and at the hour of our death. 

Amen.

 

(All)   Eternal rest, grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her.   May she rest in peace.

On Eagles Wings, instrumental.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUHv-r5LiVM&feature=youtu.be

Attending:  Rosanne, Stephen, Gery, Nora, Rob, Adam, Megan, Joseph

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dorothy Lucille Alexander, please visit our floral store.