Dorothy Kaeks Dodds of Carillon Crossing passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at Accent Hospice with loved ones by her side. The daughter of Erich and Dorothy Kaeks, she was born in Red Bank, NJ. Dorothy was a graduate of Wilmington H.S. and the University of Delaware. She taught at Henry C. Conrad H.S. and Dickinson H.S. James W. Dodds and she were married in 1954 and celebrated over fifty anniversaries prior to his passing in 2008. She is survived by her daughter, Lisa D. Wilson (James) and her son, Erich J. Dodds (Kathryn). Her grandchildren are Alexandra J. Wilson (Jonathan), Samantha H. Wilson, Kent C. Wilson (Alexandra), and Abigail H. Dodds (Matthew). The 2023 arrival of great-grandson Luca James Gonzalez brought her immense joy. Dorothy is also survived by her sister Erika Ullman (Richard), nieces, Beth deVitry (Chris) and Amy Graver (Rick), nephew, Mathew Ullman (Tiffany) and sister-in-law, Elsie Wolff.
Dorothy was devoted to her family and Zion Lutheran Church (now “Unity Church”). She delighted in and was so proud of the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren. Dorothy loved having them all together. She participated in many of the activities of the Church. Dorothy and her husband were Advisors to the Luther League and she sang in the junior and senior choirs for more than 60 years. She was the first female member elected to church council and later served as its first female President. One of her greatest joys was bringing the church bells back to Zion.
Dorothy was also a long-time member of the Delaware Saengerbund, serving on the Board as an Officer and singing in the chorus for over 60 years.
Dorothy loved traveling and spent three years in Brussels, Belgium with her family, when her husband was transferred there by Hercules, Inc. While overseas, they were able to visit many European countries and connect with relatives in Germany and Scotland.
Dorothy especially enjoyed all the festivities of Christmas: a fresh-cut Christmas tree, decorating with many treasures collected while traveling, and sharing with family and friends the many varieties of cookies she baked for the holidays.
Her family would like to give special thanks for the care and compassion provided by the wonderful medical aides from Home Instead and Bayada and the outstanding Accent Hospice team from the in-patient unit at Wilmington Hospital.
A “Celebration of Life” service will be held at Unity Church, 2101 Lancaster Ave., Wilmington, DE 19805 on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Visitation for friends and family will take place at the Church from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Unity Church at the address above or the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter, 399 Market St., Suite 250, Philadelphia, PA 19106.
For online condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com
