Dorothy Florence Smith

Dorothy Maser Smith...Dottie...Dotsy...Dot to friends and family--Darling to Witzel, her husband and love of her life. She will always be Mom or Mommy to us, her 3 kids and spouses. Let's not forget Granma, Great-Granma AND Great-Great Granma by Larry, Dawn, Keith, Geoff, Genny, Christian, Luca, Jordan & Christopher! Mom always felt there was nothing better or more important than family! Her own growing up years were closely meshed with her aunts, uncles & cousins in Philadelphia. Family reunions were always popular at the family summer house on the Schuylkill River. Dot graduated from Germantown High School and went on to business college to pursue a secretarial career (until she was scooped up by the Love Of Her Life, our Dad!). Mom used her skills to write her Christmas gift lists in shorthand so we couldn't peek beforehand. She was funny (and clever!). Mom also attended John Robert Powers Finishing School. She loved to dress and the photos show she cut quite a charming and fashionable picture. Dot and Witz were married in October 1948. She was a lovely and happy bride in candlelight satin and seed pearls. They made their home in Philadelphia. The kids started arriving in 1951 and they finished with 3, an older son and 2 girls by 1957. She relocated in the early 60's to Rockville, MD and made a home there raising the family with Dad. It was a difficult transition for her to leave her aging parents in Philadelphia but she stayed in close touch; meanwhile chauffeuring and school function attending and just being Mom with 3 busy kids. Dorothy was a loving Mom. Mom worked for quite a while at Suburban Hospital. She started as just about the first face one would encounter upon arrival for visiting. She LOVED that job. It fulfilled her caring heart and interest in others. Her secretarial skills stood her in good stead when she had to take a computer learning class to expand her positional duties. She was good at it! It broke her heart to retire but Dad needed her for his business at home. Mom and Dad relocated with Lynne, George and the kids to Colorado in the mid-90's. Mom was widowed shortly thereafter and continued to live with the family. Again, the family environment nurtured her soul and helped her get past the loss of Dad. Shortly thereafter we lost George. The migration to Arizona that began with Doug long before was now coming to include almost all the family. Lynne married Bill and Dawn attended university in AZ. That rascally Keith is still lovin' Colorado. Corinne and Bruce finally tired of the long Colorado winters and are here part-time. Mom was so happy to have all 3 kids living with her in the same town. Mom lived independently in her own apartment in a retirement community until just this last June. She had her ups and downs healthwise but always had a bright-eyed and positive sunny smile each morning. Both communities in which she lived remember her best as a social ring-leader-- Pinochle, happy hour, dinner and social events always had her front and center. She never wanted to see anyone left out. This last summer was hard for her and she agreed to move in with Lynne & Bill. They were the Terrible Trio those 3! Everyone that met Mom was engaged by her smile, warm wit and loving acceptance. From our teenage friends and over the years to the folks she met at our local watering-hole happy hour. We learned many things from our Mother; most importantly was having a loving heart and acceptance of people for who they are. We will wait a bit to host memorials in her honor and will try to notify friends and family after the holidays. As Mom was in process of preparing her Christmas letter; I know she would want to wish her friends and family Merry Christmas and a Healthy Happy New Year.Please visit Mom's Photo gallery; write fond memories and stories that reflect her loving, funny and kind heart!!