WAUKESHA - Dorothy D. Dancey (nee Dorrington) passed from this life to the next Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2001. Born in Chicago on April 22, 1917, she spent her youth and adult years in Wisconsin. Dorothy distinguished herself in the Walworth public schools, then attended Carroll College, graduating in 1938 with a bachelor’s degree in English. The next three years she taught at Gillett High School in the English department. In 1941, she married her college sweetheart, David Dancey. They settled in Waukesha and raised three children. Over the years Dorothy’s varied interests and activities have included sports, drama, music, art, knitting, sewing, handicrafts, reading and gardening. In addition, she provided leadership in a number of scouting programs - both girls and boys. She also volunteered for her local church in the Norma Craven Circle and in the Christian education department. Dorothy served as one of Waukesha’s first volunteer Red Cross nurses’ aides during World War II.

She held memberships with the First United Methodist Church of Waukesha, the Daughters of the American Revolution - Waukesha Continental Chapter 13, Sigma Tau Delta honorary fraternity and Kappa Gamma Phi sorority. Her loving kindness, graciousness, clever wit, humor and delightful laugh and smiles will be missed.

Dorothy is survived by her loving husband, David L. Dancey of Waukesha; her children, Barbara A. (David) Ridgely of Grafton, Richard J. (R. Afton) Dancey of Elgin, Ill., and Carol J. Luebbe of Darien; her grandchildren, Deborah (Anthony) Paegelow of Grafton, Nathan (Heather) Ridgely of Milwaukee, Lisa, Jocelyn and Megan Ridgely of Grafton, Afton (Steven) Dancey Surwillo of Oak Park, Ill., Scott (Lori) Morman of Evergreen, Colo., Andrew (Kris) Abplanalp of Waukesha, Matthew Abplanalp of Madison and Stephen, Justin and Kirk Luebbe of Darien; and her great-grandchildren, Miranda, Caleb and Sarah Paegelow, Luc Surwillo, Alex and Sarah Abplanalp and Derrick Jeka. She is further survived by her brother, Lewis T. (Helen) Dorrington of Austin, Texas; her sisters-in-law, Janet Berger of Madison and Helen Dancey of Valparaiso, Ind.; and other relatives and friends.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Harry T. and Barbara B. Dorrington; and her granddaughter, Alison Kay Ridgely.

Special thanks to Dr. Thomas J. Dougherty of Waukesha, the caring staff at Linden Court of Mukwonago, the care givers, nurses and social work staff at LindenGrove Health Care Center in Waukesha, the nurses and staff of Rolland D. Nelson Crossroads Hospice and Dwight Bastian and Mary Jo McDougall, pastors at First United Methodist Church, who all provided thoughtful, loving care in Dorothy’s last days.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. today, Dec. 26, at Randle-Dable Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha. A second visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service Thursday, Dec. 27, at First United Methodist Church, 121 Wisconsin Ave., Waukesha; the Rev. Dwight Bastian will officiate. Mrs. Dancey’s cremated remains will be placed in a niche at Prairie Home Cemetery in the Spring.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The First United Methodist Church Foundation, 121 Wisconsin Ave., Waukesha, WI 53186, or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6130 W. National Ave., Suite 200, Milwaukee, WI 53214.

Randle-Dable Funeral Home is serving the family. For more information, call 547-4035.