Dorothy Greiner, a long-term resident of Mt Vernon, passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 26 at the age of 91.
Dorothy was born on October 8, 1932, in Akron Ohio, the oldest of three children. She graduated from Ohio University, where she met and later married her husband Sam. They moved to Mt. Vernon for Sam to work at Coopers, then went on to have two children, Gerald and Lynn. They lived in Mt. Vernon for much of the remainder of their lives. Dorothy later enjoyed a career in real estate with Don Tufto Realty. Until Sam passed away in 2006, Dorothy and Sam enjoyed their lives on Gambier Road working, socializing, playing bridge and golfing vacations with friends and family.
Dorothy lived independently in her home on Gambier Road until the age of 90 when she suffered a stroke. Soon after she moved from her home to Danbury Senior Living. This was a big change for Dorothy because she had to give up her feline companion, Sir James, and more difficult, her cigarettes! But she adapted well (except for the cigarettes) and made many friends in a short time. Dorothy was outgoing, loved making new friends and loved children. She had a special knack for connecting with people, many of whom were younger than herself. She shared her wisdom and had a gentle way of helping them find their own answers. Because she took such genuine interest in people’s lives, and listened without judgement, she touched the lives of many people.
Her grace and generosity were legendary. At her Gambier Road home friends dropped in by letting themselves through the screened porch and into her kitchen. She welcomed anyone and everyone who “bopped” by if just for a chat, advice, dinner, or cocktail. She loved to cook for friends and family and rarely, if ever, missed cocktail hour. She had a clever, subtle sense of humor and greatly enjoyed the quick wit of others. She loved to throw parties, especially when her son and beloved grandchildren Sara and Donald visited from Thailand.
Dorothy loved to read and listen to books of all kinds, especially nonfiction and poetry. Unassumingly she would amaze those around her with her uncanny breadth of knowledge. She had an amazing memory and never seemed to forget anything. Most of her knowledge apparently came from the books she read, as a fear of flying kept her from doing much traveling.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Gerald and Michelle Greiner (Thailand), daughter and son-in-law Lynn and Guy Poland (New Mexico), grandchildren Sara Greiner (New York) and Donald Greiner (Philadelphia), sister and brother-in-law Martha and Dudley Andres (South Carolina), wonderful nieces and nephews and friends.
Dorothy requested that a small private ceremony be held at a future date.
Those who knew her are encouraged to honor her memory with a gracious gesture, an act of kindness or a heartfelt message of forgiveness to another human being.
Contributions in her honor can be made to the Mt Vernon public library or the local Humane Society.
The Snyder Funeral Home – Lasater Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
Funeral Home: The Snyder Funeral Home – Lasater Chapel
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com