Dorothy Louise Finch

Dorothy Louise Moultrie Finch entered this world on Monday, March 21^st, 1927.  Her father, Julius Moultrie, and her mother, Martha Louise Smalls Moultrie, happily received their first born child. Her sister Julia Mae, and her brother Eugene, later completed the Moultrie family.

Dorothy attended Simonton Elementary followed by Burke High School.  During her school days Dorothy could not tolerate the hot weather in Charleston.  Her dream was to attend school in Philadelphia PA.  At the age of 18 Dorothy packed her bag and boarded the train to attend Pioneer Business School in Philadelphia.  She knew that she would never return to Charleston to live.

While attending Pioneer she met and fell in love with the handsome singer Frank Finch Jr. who was attending Pierce Jr. College.  When asked, she happily accepted his proposal of marriage.  They married after they both graduated from school.

From this union two children were conceived; Frank Finch III and Patricia Louise Finch.  Frank and Dorothy worked together to bring joy to the lives of their children.  Frank became an accountant for the city of Philadelphia, and Dorothy was hired by the U.S. Army Electronics Command (ECOM) where she performed clerical work.  Frank and Dorothy were able to enroll their son Frank in scouting.  Both children were given piano lessons.  Patricia was able to attend dancing school for many years.  The family enjoyed many outings and vacations together. 

With Dorothy’s financial help, the family was able to move from a house located at 58^th and Spruce, to a home located on Wynnefield Ave in the Wynnefield section of the city during the year 1967.  Two years after moving into the home, her husband Frank, died.

Now a widow, Dorothy alone, attended the college graduation of both of her children.  Frank graduated from Villanova University with a degree in law.  Patricia graduated from Temple University with a degree in Education.  After her children graduated, Dorothy retired from ECOM.

The family of 3 enjoyed spending time together.  Time was set aside for marathon Scrabble games.  Dorothy enjoyed traveling so yearly vacations were taken.  Together the family visited Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, Russia, Kenya, the eastern and western Caribbean and many states within the United States.

Dorothy’s small family was decreased by one when she lost her son Frank to cancer in 2018.  With great strength and endurance Dorothy was able to accept his death and continue with her life.

Dorothy loved walking. She would often brag to her friends about how many times she walked from Wynnefield to Center City.  Dorothy joined a gym around 1980 and maintained a gym membership throughout her life.  At age 96, despite chronic back pain, knee pain and periodic seizures, Dorothy could walk the treadmill for 1 hour at her favorite gym, Planet Fitness in Springfield PA.  After the treadmill she would do 100 reps (light weight of course) on 8 pieces of equipment! She loved working out at the gym.  

At age 96 Dorothy continued to love games.  She did a word search puzzle and a crossword puzzle (in ink!) every night before going to bed.  She and Patricia played a card game, Canasta, and the word game, Scrabble everyday.  The evenings often ended with her defeating Patricia at both games.  On nights when she wasn’t feeling well she would still want to play…and she would win!

One of Dorothy’s favorite past time activities when she was idle was to write down the names of all 50 states in alphabetical order.  When finished she would say, “And I can name the capitals.  Can you?”

Dorothy was at peace with the prospect of her home-going.  Her health was deteriorating.  When she was in too much discomfort to go to the gym she would complain about being alive.  When Frank passed she purchased a grave next to his.  She would often say, “I’m 96. I’ve lived my life and I’m tired of living.  I want to join Frank.  I don’t want a funeral, just put me in the ground.  I’m ready to go.”

On September 23, 2023 at 6:45 a.m. Dorothy was reunited with her son.  How fitting that the morning was a cloudy day with heavy rain falling, as Dorothy always loved to sleep all day when it rained.  Now Dorothy can enjoy the rain in her eternal sleep.

Dorothy will be missed by her daughter Patricia and many relatives and friends.