Dorothy Boehm Holderle

Holderle, Dorothy Boehm

Rochester, NY: October 23, 2010. Dorothy Boehm Holderle, 96, beloved wife of Frederick S. Holderle, died on October 23 surrounded by her family. Dorothy was born on September 3, 1914 in Brooklyn, NY, daughter of Elizabeth May and Albert F. Boehm. She met her husband at a young professionals' Luther League camp in Long Island and married him on July 4th, 1942, in Brooklyn. During 2010, they celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. Her children include: Marguerite Holderle (Rochester), Betsy and John Brockway (Pawling, NY) and Dorothy and Fred Stoss (Rochester). Her grandchildren include: Brian and Kim Brockway (Shrewsbury, NJ), Amie and Evan Brockway-Metcalf (South Orange, NJ), and Kaeti Stoss (Rochester). Her great-grandchildren include: Ella and Abby Brockway; and Oscar, Arlo and Lucy Metcalf. Dorothy's two brothers Edward and Howard Boehm and sister Emily Shortland predeceased her.

As a city girl coming to Rochester as a young bride, Dorothy became a wonderful homemaker with her cooking, baking, gardening, handiwork and sewing skills. As her daughters entered their teens, she returned to work full time and retired in 1978, from the University of Rochester as an Administrative Assistant. She initially worked as a secretary in the Chemistry Department, then with the office of the Dean of Students and finally on the National Action Committee for Drug Education grant project. She was determined that her daughters would continue their schooling into college and pursue rewarding careers. She was very proud that all three daughters and all three grandchildren graduated with at least, four year degrees or higher. Dorothy was a remarkable woman of great strength, energy, and a lively spirit who was an awesome role model for her daughters as well as others who knew her.

Dorothy was very active in her community serving first as a Brownie/Girl Scout leader, as a Sunday school teacher and also as a 4-H leader in the town of Chili. As a member of Trinity Emanuel Lutheran Church she was quite busy in various capacities. As a proud past Queen of the Daughters of the Nile-Zama Temple, she was active in raising funds and sewing pajamas for children being treated at Shrine Hospitals. With her husband Frederick, they were founding members of the Chili Country Twirlers and the N.C.H.A. Chili Chilly Campers. They enjoyed traveling and attending many Masonic, Nile and Shrine events. In 1998, Frederick and Dorothy moved from Grenell Drive into The Village at Park Ridge in Greece, where Fred still lives, and experienced many happy years of companionship, activities and trips.

During the past year and a half Dorothy has been a resident of St. John's Home. Her daughters are very grateful for the care and attention of the wonderful staff, especially those on Reservoir Building, 5th floor, as well as Hospice volunteers and staff, for the loving, tender care and comfort they provided to Dorothy and her family in the final journey of her life here on Earth.

All are welcome to a Memorial Service for Dorothy B. Holderle which will be held at Trinity Emanuel Lutheran Church, 761 Elmgrove Road, Rochester 14624, on Saturday, November 6, at 2PM, with a reception to follow in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, please forward your donations to either: Trinity Emanuel Lutheran Church- Memorial Fund, or, to the Daughters of the Nile, Zama Temple #14, attention: Pr. Recorder, Carol Colegrove, 8 Cynthia Drive, Geneva, NY 14456.