"Dorothy was a very special lady. Tho she did not have children of her own, she was loved by my grandchildren, Dustin, Devon, Darin and Dylan Boyer. The family enjoyed visiting her in th summer. She will be missed."
In loving memory of
DOROTHY E. BOYER
September 24, 1910 - February 13, 2008
Dorothy E. Boyer, formerly of 421 E. Ridge St., Marquette, died February 13, 2008 in Okemos, Michigan at age 97.
She was born to Alice and Wilbrod Boyer in Ironwood, Michigan on September 24, 1910. She was a graduate of St. Ambrose High School, Superior State Teachers College, now the University of Wisconsin-Superior, and Northern Michigan University.
Dorothy was a dedicated public servant with a career spanning nearly 40 years as a social services case worker, serving five years in Gogebic County and later in Marquette County, where she rose to casework supervisor for Marquette County Department of Social Services.
Dorothy was a member of St. Peter's Cathedral as well as its Altar Society and was devoted to perpetual adoration. She was an active volunteer in community causes and took special pride in supporting the Peter White Public Library and St. Peter's Cathedral. She never refused a request to help family and friends.
A dedicated reader, Dorothy followed current events with passion. She took long walks almost daily, played bridge skillfully with a large circle of friends, traveled widely, laughed easily and lived simply.
Besides her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by brothers Francis, Laurence and Raymond Boyer. She is survived by her sister, Jeanette Legg of Columbus, OH; nephews, Lawrence (Rosalyn) Boyer, Alpena, MI, John (Kathy) Boyer, Phoenix, AZ and David (Gretchen) Boyer of Chandler, AZ; niece, Barbara (Michael) Buda, Mason, MI; grandnephews, Dean (Dawn) Boyer, Milwaukee, WI, Brian (Tanya) Boyer, Franklin, WI, Eric Boyer, Seattle, WA, Daniel Buda, Austin, TX, and Jonathon Buda, San Diego, CA; grandnieces, Nicole (Charles) Sieber, HI and Shelly (Roger) Riddle, Seattle, WA; also several great grandnieces and grandnephews.
The family thanks special friends, Jeanette and Dave Magadanz of Marquette for their care and love of Dorothy. Also the staffs of Brookridge Heights, Norlite Nursing Center and the Ingham County Medical Care Facility as well as Dr. Islam Quasem of Marquette.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Michael Catholic Church in Marquette with the Rev. Msgr. Jed Patrick officiating. The family will receive friends at the Canale-Tonella Funeral Home from 4 – 7 p.m. on Tuesday where a parish vigil service will take place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Visitation will also be held at the church on Wednesday one hour prior to the mass. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood in the spring.
Pallbearers will be Dave Magadanz, Mike Buda, Dan Buda, Jon Buda, Dean Boyer, Bart Boyer, John Boyer and David Boyer.
Those wishing to make donations in Dorothy's memory may do so either to the Peter White Public Library, St. Peter's Cathedral or the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Condolence cards can be sent to Dorothy's niece, Barbara Boyer-Buda at 1820 W. Dexter Trail, Mason, MI 48854.
Tributes
"Dorothy was a great lady and always wonderful to our family! We loved listening to her stories about the Boyer family and visiting with her in Marquette! We can all definitely learn something from the way Dorothy lived her life!!"
"What a lovely soul! The obituary captured her simplicity so well. Dorothy's life is a model of good citizenship, an example for us all to follow. She served others through her work with children and their families, she was a true friend to those in need. For decades she worked with my father through his office at the courthouse and he held her in highest esteem. Please accept my sincere sympathy. I join you in saluting an admirable human being."
"Barb and Mike. So sorry for your loss. I know from talking to you last summer how much she meant to you. You will be in our prayers. Bill & Carole"
"We worked with Dorothy for many years while we were social workers with the State DSS Office. Dorothy was always serious about our work with less fortunate clients but there always was a underlying good sense of humor that we all appreciated. We enjoyed the many years working with her. I (Tom) would always volunteer to put her new license plates on her car parked in front of the office. Funny how you remember those things. Dorothy was a friend of my aunt Dossie Dunleavy for many years. Dorothy was a good person and I'm sure will be missed by all"
"We first knew Dorothy when we moved into her neighborhood and would chat on the street as she walked about. She also played bridge with Hildegard and we had many chances to come in contact with her ever cheerful personality. She shared of herself and made the street a better place to live. We have missed seeing her and send our condolences."
"Dorothy was an amazing woman, she was an inspiration to us all with her decades of love, kindness and support. Her family, friends, church and neighbors all knew her christian values. She participated in many community events amd at the top of the long list was her support for Peter White Public Library. One of her favorite pastimes was Bridge. We will miss her. We love her. Jeanette and Dave Magadanz"
"I first met Dorothy in the early 1950's when she, my mother (also Dorothy) and seven other ladies played Bridge every Tuesday night in each others' homes (the hostess never played). I believe Dorothy is the last to go, so maybe they have a hostess tonight as they're all together once again for Bridge. They were all fine, admirable, fun-loving ladies and are missed."
"Dorothy was a close friend of my mother and always very good to her. I always marveled at her stamina and her ability to look about 20 years younger than she really was. I also thought upon hearing of her death that now the bridge club is complete. The "girls" are all there. My sympathy to all of her family."
"What can I say after almost six decades of having such a wonderful woman in my life? DoDo, as I fondly called her since childhood, was a main stay of dignity and grace in my life. She worked with my mother, Mary Fontaine, at the Dept of Social Services. I would go to their office after school and DoDo would always have a smile and a warm welcome for me. After I left Marquette in 1969, she always looked forward to my visits home. She would hop the fence between our backyards and we always enjoyed catching up and sharing a glass of wine. She was true and dedicated to my mother for all of her life for which I am eternally grateful. DoDo was the person that called me when she knew it was time to say goodbye to my mother. We held hands and shared last rites. You cannot get much closer than that. My heart is sad but I know DoDo has hopped the final fence and is surrounded by all her friends that she so graciously honored during her life on earth. My sincere condolences to Jeanette, Barbara and family of the lovely Dorothy Boyer."
"I never knew Dorothy well (which I'm sure is MY loss) but I met her while we were working together on the capital campaign to renovate and expand the Peter White Public Library. As co-chair of that campaign, I was well aware of the great job she did helping us to raise funds. She just made her contacts quietly and effectively and was very much appreciated. Her interest in the library is a wonderful legacy to our community."
"Dorothy is surely in our prayers. I can remember riding with her to Ironwood with my grandmother many times and also the rides she gave to my mom everytime she drove to Ironwood. They were good friends. Our Love Sue and Lu"