Biography

Dorothy Traynor of Dover passed away surrounded by her loving family October 4th, 2010 at Bayhealth Medical Center.

Dorothy was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 26, 1926. She and her husband Frank moved to Dover in 1950 and raised their family there. She was an active community volunteer and leader. As a member and past president of the Dover Century Club, she initiated the Read Aloud Delaware program in Kent County and the HOBY Youth Leadership program throughout the State of Delaware. She was also instrumental in the founding of UCP Camp Lenape, a summer camp for children and young adults with orthopedic disabilities, especially those with cerebral palsy. During her 58 years of Dover Century Club membership, she held many leadership positions and spearheaded efforts in the areas of women’s health and community improvement.

Dorothy served as president of the Delaware State Federation of Women’s Clubs from 1982 to 1984 and as president of the Middle Atlantic Region of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) from 1988 to 1990. She also served on the GFWC Board of Directors and Long-Range Planning Committee. Dorothy was appointed by Governor Pierre S. duPont IV to serve on the Advisory Committee on the Needs of Exceptional Citizens from 1979 to 1981 and by Governor Michael Castle as a member of the Council on Volunteer Services from 1985 to 1989. She was active with the Delaware Association for the Blind, served as a mentor at North Dover Elementary School, and was an active volunteer for the Very Special Arts program.

Dorothy and her husband are longtime members of the Maple Dale Country Club. Dorothy was an avid bridge player, an accomplished porcelain painter, and enjoyed reading and participating in book clubs, as well as rooting for the Phillies -- sometimes fanatically.

She is predeceased by her daughter Janice, and is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Frank, and her beloved children and grandchildren: Diane and husband Ken Senerth of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and their children Emily and Julia; Gary Lowe, husband of the late Janice Traynor, of Wilmington, Delaware, and their daughter Jennie; Gary and his wife Kathy Andrus, of Dover, Delaware, and their children Laura and Erin Traynor and Jonathan Lust; and Carol of West Chester, Pennsylvania, and her children Elizabeth, Michael, and Sarah DeMarco.

Friends may call at Torbert Funeral Home at 1145 East Lebanon Road, Dover, Delaware, on Thursday, October 7, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, October 8 at 12:00 noon at Holy Cross Church at 631 South State Street, Dover, Delaware. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

In commemoration of Dorothy’s long service to her community, donations may be made to the Dover Century Club at The Green, Dover, Delaware, 19901 or to any of the charitable organizations to which Dorothy devoted her time and talents.

Viewing

Thursday October 7, 2010, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Torbert Funeral Chapels
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Mass of Christian Burial

Friday October 8, 2010, 12:00 PM at Holy Cross Catholic Church
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Interment

Friday October 8, 2010 at Holy Cross Cemetery
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