1935
Dorothy
2013
Dorothy McPherson
October 8, 1935 — April 13, 2013
DOROTHY AGNES McPHERSON, age 77, of Newtown Square, PA, passed away on April 13, 2013. Born in Norristown, PA she was raised and lived in Syracuse, NY area until 2007 when she moved to Newtown Square to be near family and take care of her Mother who moved to PA at that time.
Dorothy graduated from the Convent School in 1953 and from LeMoyne College in 1957. She grew up as a member of Blessed Sacrament Church, commonly bringing her parents there even after moving out of the Eastwood neighborhood. She was a Professional Career Social Worker with Onondaga County, NY, starting in Protective Services but then for most years in Foster Care and Adoption Services. She faced her recently diagnosed cancer with strong trust in Christ's ultimate victory over death based on her lifelong Catholic faith.
Dorothy was an avid Syracuse and Villanova basketball fan. She loved to travel in Europe and favored Paris.
She was the devoted daughter of the late Donald and Marguerite (nee Burns) McPherson, the beloved sister of Margaret Wright of Newtown Square, John McPherson of Naperville, IL, the late Thomas McPherson and Donald McPherson. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation 10:00-10:50 AM Wednesday, April 17th St. Anastasia Church, 3301 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA which will be followed by her funeral mass at 11:00 AM. Interment. SS Peter & Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dorothy's memory may be made to Assumption Church (Designate Northside Ministries on check), 812 North Salina Street, Syracuse, NY 13208 www.franciscancm.org
Online condolences: www.donohuefuneralhome.com
Arr. THE DONOHUE FUNERAL HOMES, NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA 19073.
Words of Remembrance
The fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. As we reflect on Aunt Dorothy's life we can see that they were all manifest in various ways.
Aunt Dorothy liked a clean car and preferably a new car: Karmann Ghias, Volkswagens, and Toyotas. We half joked that she would trade them in if she needed new windshield wipers. Of course I gave her a hard time about the spare carpet pieces she put on top of her floor mats to keep them clean. Aunt Dot treasured her reputation for not being a cook. At Liz's wedding shower when other women were submitting their favorite recipes, Aunt Dorothy provided a list of her favorite restaurants and the best meal choices. However, no one ever had anything but an excellent meal or snack at her home.
Dorothy loved her parents and siblings and their offspring deeply. Dorothy cared for Grandma and Grandpa throughout her life, making sure all their needs were met. She willingly gave up her home outside of Syracuse to move down to Newtown Square, PA to be near Grandma and us. Ironically Grandma only lived for a month after Dorothy moved into her apartment. But we were so glad that this was the time for her to be closer to her sister Peg and the rest of us in the Philadelphia area. It was so good for many of us to be with her at family parties. The pictures of her loving her grand nieces & nephews are beautiful and tell the story of her family devotion. Aunt Dorothy's humming
-
as she moved about her apartment
-
portrayed her happiness for our presence and her joy in serving others.
She was a role model of a professional career woman who maintained her femininity as she rose to supervisory roles in Adoption Services. Her example inspired us all to seriously consider college to prepare ourselves vocationally. She loved the children and families she served professionally. The Bible says true religion is caring for orphans and widows. She practiced true religion. God will bless her for it in heaven.
Aunt Dorothy never felt the need to own a house but made each apartment she had feel like it was, in fact, her own home. She carefully picked each item in her home
-
it had to hold up to her high standards and have personal meaning. But faced with eternity, she easily let them go.
Aunt Dorothy always wanted to know what was going on in your life and convinced each of us that it mattered for her to know. Conversely, Aunt Dorothy would not talk about herself and never complained about her personal situation. One of our challenges was that, unlike some other members of our family, she would not discuss her health problems choosing instead to bear her suffering quietly and without complaint.
She was poised, beautiful and always fashionably dressed
-
whether casual or formal. She was fun. We have early memories of visiting The French Fort and having Coonie Hot Dogs at Onondaga Lake.
Although choosing not to come down to Brigantine in recent years for the August vacation, she can be let off the hook since she had faithfully done so for the previous 42 years. We had fun with Aunt Dorothy on the beach and in the waves when we were children. Aunt Dorothy never liked to say goodbye and eschewed the long process of standing around each car as folks left Brigantine to head home. Her style was to leave on a Friday morning at 7:00 AM before anyone was up. The night before she would say "see you later". Well Aunt Dorothy did it again. She pulled out before hardly any of us got a chance to say goodbye, but she wanted us to know that we will see her later.
In the hospital we got a chance to talk about her acceptance and peace with her terminal illness. While she only had one week of life left on earth when she received her diagnosis she was already spiritually, mentally and emotionally prepared to handle it by God's grace. Dorothy was admitted to the hospital on Good Friday. Easter was upon us. Jesus said I am the resurrection and the life, He who believes in me will live even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.
Aunt Dorothy trusted in Christ's sacrifice. We can look forward to enjoying eternity together for our ultimate homecoming with God.
St. Anastasia Church
3301 West Chester Pike Newtown Square 19073, United States
Dorothy graduated from the Convent School in 1953 and from LeMoyne College in 1957. She grew up as a member of Blessed Sacrament Church, commonly bringing her parents there even after moving out of the Eastwood neighborhood. She was a Professional Career Social Worker with Onondaga County, NY, starting in Protective Services but then for most years in Foster Care and Adoption Services. She faced her recently diagnosed cancer with strong trust in Christ's ultimate victory over death based on her lifelong Catholic faith.
Dorothy was an avid Syracuse and Villanova basketball fan. She loved to travel in Europe and favored Paris.
She was the devoted daughter of the late Donald and Marguerite (nee Burns) McPherson, the beloved sister of Margaret Wright of Newtown Square, John McPherson of Naperville, IL, the late Thomas McPherson and Donald McPherson. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation 10:00-10:50 AM Wednesday, April 17th St. Anastasia Church, 3301 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA which will be followed by her funeral mass at 11:00 AM. Interment. SS Peter & Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dorothy's memory may be made to Assumption Church (Designate Northside Ministries on check), 812 North Salina Street, Syracuse, NY 13208 www.franciscancm.org
Online condolences: www.donohuefuneralhome.com
Arr. THE DONOHUE FUNERAL HOMES, NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA 19073.
Words of Remembrance
The fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. As we reflect on Aunt Dorothy's life we can see that they were all manifest in various ways.
Aunt Dorothy liked a clean car and preferably a new car: Karmann Ghias, Volkswagens, and Toyotas. We half joked that she would trade them in if she needed new windshield wipers. Of course I gave her a hard time about the spare carpet pieces she put on top of her floor mats to keep them clean. Aunt Dot treasured her reputation for not being a cook. At Liz's wedding shower when other women were submitting their favorite recipes, Aunt Dorothy provided a list of her favorite restaurants and the best meal choices. However, no one ever had anything but an excellent meal or snack at her home.
Dorothy loved her parents and siblings and their offspring deeply. Dorothy cared for Grandma and Grandpa throughout her life, making sure all their needs were met. She willingly gave up her home outside of Syracuse to move down to Newtown Square, PA to be near Grandma and us. Ironically Grandma only lived for a month after Dorothy moved into her apartment. But we were so glad that this was the time for her to be closer to her sister Peg and the rest of us in the Philadelphia area. It was so good for many of us to be with her at family parties. The pictures of her loving her grand nieces & nephews are beautiful and tell the story of her family devotion. Aunt Dorothy's humming
-
as she moved about her apartment
-
portrayed her happiness for our presence and her joy in serving others.
She was a role model of a professional career woman who maintained her femininity as she rose to supervisory roles in Adoption Services. Her example inspired us all to seriously consider college to prepare ourselves vocationally. She loved the children and families she served professionally. The Bible says true religion is caring for orphans and widows. She practiced true religion. God will bless her for it in heaven.
Aunt Dorothy never felt the need to own a house but made each apartment she had feel like it was, in fact, her own home. She carefully picked each item in her home
-
it had to hold up to her high standards and have personal meaning. But faced with eternity, she easily let them go.
Aunt Dorothy always wanted to know what was going on in your life and convinced each of us that it mattered for her to know. Conversely, Aunt Dorothy would not talk about herself and never complained about her personal situation. One of our challenges was that, unlike some other members of our family, she would not discuss her health problems choosing instead to bear her suffering quietly and without complaint.
She was poised, beautiful and always fashionably dressed
-
whether casual or formal. She was fun. We have early memories of visiting The French Fort and having Coonie Hot Dogs at Onondaga Lake.
Although choosing not to come down to Brigantine in recent years for the August vacation, she can be let off the hook since she had faithfully done so for the previous 42 years. We had fun with Aunt Dorothy on the beach and in the waves when we were children. Aunt Dorothy never liked to say goodbye and eschewed the long process of standing around each car as folks left Brigantine to head home. Her style was to leave on a Friday morning at 7:00 AM before anyone was up. The night before she would say "see you later". Well Aunt Dorothy did it again. She pulled out before hardly any of us got a chance to say goodbye, but she wanted us to know that we will see her later.
In the hospital we got a chance to talk about her acceptance and peace with her terminal illness. While she only had one week of life left on earth when she received her diagnosis she was already spiritually, mentally and emotionally prepared to handle it by God's grace. Dorothy was admitted to the hospital on Good Friday. Easter was upon us. Jesus said I am the resurrection and the life, He who believes in me will live even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.
Aunt Dorothy trusted in Christ's sacrifice. We can look forward to enjoying eternity together for our ultimate homecoming with God.
Visitation
Wednesday, April 17, 2013 10:00 AM - 10:50 AMSt. Anastasia Church
3301 West Chester Pike Newtown Square 19073, United States
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