- Date Of Birth: January 26, 1921
- Date Of Death: November 6, 2014
- State: Indiana
Born during a snowstorm in Peotone, Illinois January 26, 1921. Dorothy was 93.
She attended schools in Arizona, California and Indiana. Dorothy graduated from Horace Mann High School in Gary, Indiana Class of 1938. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics from Indiana University in 1942. Dorothy went on to teach Home Economics and other subjects at Wheeler School and Merrillville High School. Later she worked in the corporate offices of Fred Harvey Restaurants in Chicago, Illinois.
Dorothy married Don Taylor they divorced in 1945. In 1957 married Sylvester (Sy) Mann (deceased). In 1965 married Henry L. Maurer (deceased) in 1968, she adopted Henry’s children; James age 22 and Marilyn age 18.
In 1969, Dorothy and Henry moved to Franklin where they joined the First Presbyterian Church. She served as an elder, sang alto in the choir, and was active in the Dorcas Miriam Circle and numerous committees. She also served on Presbytery committees and was for a time an Enabler. She also belonged to AlphaXiDelta Sororities, Matinee Musical, PEO and Extensions Homemakers along with other organizations where she held various offices. Dorothy was active in the Order of the Eastern Star (OES Griffith Chapter 583), supported the Masons, Scottish Rite and Shriners. In 1996, she moved to the Indiana Masonic Home and remained there until her death.
Like her father before her Dorothy had “itchy feet” her love for travel led her all over the world, the Middle East, Europe, Soviet Union, China and every state in the United States. She was a budding artist and participated many summers at Fountain Park Chitagua in Remington, Indiana. Dorothy supported the Arts; the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and numerous plays at Butler, the University of Indianapolis and many others. She played the piano and organ belonging to the American Guild of Organists. She even played the dulcimer, a string instrument, native to Appalachia.
“Grandma Pockets” as her grandchildren lovingly called her and “GiGi” to her great-grandchildren. Dorothy was a busy fulfilled lady, even her family had to make appointments to visit her, she was truly loved and will be missed.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Arnold and Amelia Knoop and by husbands, Sylvester Mann and Henry Maurer Jr. She is survived by son James (Kitty) Maurer of La Porte Indiana, daughter Marilyn (David) Deardurff of Burns Harbor Indiana, six grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and one great- great-grandchild.
