Dorothy J. Elsey (Byers)

Dorothy (“Dot”), our mother, passed from this world unexpectedly on Sunday April 19th, 2015.

Mom was a loving and giving person whose greatest gift was giving of herself in service to others and her Christian faith. Most of all, mom dearly loved her immediate family, but not to diminish her “extended family”, which included more friends and neighbors than we will ever know and to all of them we say thank you.

Dorothy was born at home on May 26th, 1927 in Uniontown, Pa. to Edith (nee Johnston) and Cooper Byers. “Dottie” graduated from South Union High School where she was a top student and active in the band, which is also where she met her future husband Jim. They married years later and started their family. The family moved to Green, Ohio in 1964 where dad took a position with Goodyear and they continued to create and nurture their family. Mom was the proprietor of the Hallmark Card store on Main Street in downtown Akron for many years and later was the head cashier for Sears at the Rolling Acres location.

Mom was a very active and community minded woman her whole life and believed strongly in being “connected” to family, neighbors, friends and people in general. “Connected” to her meant doing something, not just thinking or talking about it. She was “connected” and active in the Green United Methodist Church, Green Good Neighbors, Green AARP, The Red Hat Society, Tyler Garden Club, and Thursdays Card Group just to name a few. In the second half of her life, these groups are where mom cultivated endearing friendships that were also a source of her positive energy. Mom innovatively brought the grandchildren together and enjoyed many family “Game Nights” at her home. “Game nights” brought new found awareness and relationships between the grandchildren and a new loving light for them to experience their Grandmother in a fun and unique way. “Game Night” was the highlight of Mom’s month.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; son, Mark; sister, Ruth Ludemann; and brothers, Leslie and Roger Byers. She will be greatly missed by her surviving children, Donna (Dr. Greg) Smith, Jim (Sue Thomas), John (Melanie), Denise (Lex Golden); sister, Elle (Mick) Donato; sister-in-law, Linda Byers; ten grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins, close friends and extended family.

Calling hours are Friday, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 3553 Northdale Street NW (one block NW of the square of 619 & Cleveland Ave.), Uniontown, Ohio 44685. Funeral service will be held Saturday, 10:30 a.m. at the Greensburg United Methodist Church, 2161 Greensburg Rd., Green, Ohio, with Rev. John Capper and Pastor Abby Auman officiating. Visitation at the church one hour prior to the service. There will also be memorial celebration of Dorothy’s life to be announced later. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Green Good Neighbors, P.O. Box 155, Green, Ohio 44232.