Dorothy Helen Engler

Dorothy (Dot) Helen Engler (nee Neyhart), age 103, of Radnor, PA, passed away on July 28, 2024. 

Born in Milton, PA, she was the daughter of the late Howard C. and Nellie G. Neyhart (nee Hartnett).

In 1939, Dorothy graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in Williamsport, PA, and during WWII, she analyzed TNT for the Pennsylvania Ordinance Works at the U.S Rubber Co. She married her high school sweetheart, Earl, on August 21, 1943, in Phoenix, Arizona, where he was stationed as a pilot trainer in the Army Air Corps, and eventually flew the HUMP.

After the war, they settled in Williamsport, where Dorothy made a home for Earl and six of their eight children. In 1964, following a transfer to Baltimore, they bought a house in Radnor and Dot has called it home ever since. They also joined Saint Katharine of Siena parish, and seven of their eight children attended the school. Dot was a member of the “Monday lunch mothers” who watched the children in the school yard so the teachers could eat in peace. These women became some of her dearest friends, with whom she developed a passion for tennis. 

Dot also dearly loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren—especially loved rocking them to sleep when they were babies, and as they got older, got a kick out of hearing all about their lives and misadventures.

When Earl retired, they purchased a boat and both enjoyed sailing the Chesapeake, as well as to Martha’s Vineyard and Florida.

Dorothy was the beloved wife of the late Earl M. Engler; loving mother of Ann Clayton (Peter), Joan Crabb (the late Paul), Janice Marks Jacobs (the late Robert), Daniel Engler (Lorna), Michael Engler (Cindy), and Patrice Polgar (Steven); adoring grandmother of Denise Purvis, Peter Clayton, R.C. Woltemate, Sara Ho, Rex Crabb, Molly Kleinfeldt, Lindsay McQuaid, Sasha Marks, Lauren Marks, Colin Engler, Lara Fuson, Matthew Engler, David Polgar, Esther Sharpless, and Gregory Polgar; and adoring “Gigi” of 24 great-grandchildren. Dorothy was predeceased by her daughters - Dorothy Jean Woltemate (the late Richard) and Marian McQuaid McGowan, her grandson, John Woltemate, and her siblings - Howard Neyhart, Sr. Patricia Neyhart, Madeleine Neyhart, and Mary Jean Szybist.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Visitation 10:00-11:00 AM on Saturday, August 10th, at St. Katharine of Siena, 104 S. Aberdeen Ave, Wayne, PA 19087, followed by her Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Interment Calvary Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dorothy’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105, stjude.org, would be appreciated.