Obituary for Dorothy Ann Ackley
Dorothy Ann Ackley passed away on January 4, 2021. She was born on February 25, 1938 to Russell and Katherine Wendt in Detroit, Michigan. She graduated from Kalamazoo College and taught for 30 years, primarily for the Gull Lake Community School District. She retired only after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Dorothy loved family, friends, the farm, teaching, gardening, reading, cooking, chocolate, traveling, animals, and the color purple. Not necessarily in that order. She took great joy in helping others, and could be generous to a fault at times. She loved to laugh and to hear others laugh; she always had a hug for anyone and everyone. She spent eight months living with her grandson Nick and his family before she required more care. Afterwards, she moved to Sue's Loving Care for the last six months of her life, where she was able to pass away peacefully with family by her side. Even though COVID kept her family from being with her at other times, she was always cheerful on the phone, telling everyone "Sue's just keeping us safe," and her favorite: "I'm having a great time here!" Dorothy died peacefully after seeing all three of her children that day.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Shirley Jean, and brother, David. Most crushing to her were the losses of two grandchildren, Christian (Chris) and Thomas (Tommy), both gone long before their time. She is survived by her daughter, Lyn (Mark); sons, Scott (Mary) and Jim (Jennifer); six grandchildren; four great grandchildren; former husband, Stu and sister, Carolyn Sue (Jack).
As per her adamant instructions, she has been cremated. Also as per her very threatening wishes, there will be no service. Anyone who knew her, knew she "didn't do funerals." What she always wanted was for "everyone to go out to eat instead." After COVID, our family will do just that. In place of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Sue's Loving Care in Kalamazoo, MI, where monies are used to help others who may not be able to pay for care until end of life; or alternatively to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. A few of mom's last words were "remember me as I used to be" - and she will be well remembered.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Shirley Jean, and brother, David. Most crushing to her were the losses of two grandchildren, Christian (Chris) and Thomas (Tommy), both gone long before their time. She is survived by her daughter, Lyn (Mark); sons, Scott (Mary) and Jim (Jennifer); six grandchildren; four great grandchildren; former husband, Stu and sister, Carolyn Sue (Jack).
As per her adamant instructions, she has been cremated. Also as per her very threatening wishes, there will be no service. Anyone who knew her, knew she "didn't do funerals." What she always wanted was for "everyone to go out to eat instead." After COVID, our family will do just that. In place of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Sue's Loving Care in Kalamazoo, MI, where monies are used to help others who may not be able to pay for care until end of life; or alternatively to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. A few of mom's last words were "remember me as I used to be" - and she will be well remembered.