Vada E. Dortch

Vada (Mickey) Elaine Dortch, of Rochester, NY, beloved wife of John Dortch, departed for heaven on February 10, 2021. She was a victim of COVID-19. Mickey was born in Wellsville, NY to William H. and Jeanne Wright. She graduated from East High School and attended classes at Monroe Community College.

Mickey was generous, intellectually curious, loved to travel, had a wide range of interests, and was an avid reader. She was an Honorary Member of the Eastern Star ADAH 198 and a member of Gilda's Club.

Mickey was a gentle giving spirit. She touched and inspired everyone she met, especially her stepdaughter, nieces, and nephews whom she guided and loved dearly. You may have worked with Mickey at General Dynamics, Xerox, or Eastman Kodak, or met her at one of the many community events she supported and attended. She would have asked for your astrological sign, engaged you in conversation, and listened to you intently as she was always genuinely interested in hearing what people had to share with her. And, she would always have had a tidbit or story to share with you in return. Mickey was a Pisces.

As we shared our memories about Mickey over the past few days, a few stood out:

- She guarded her age like a state secret and her secret is safe with us. However, that did not prevent her from celebrating her birthday for a full month each year.
- She used her knowledge and skills to help others.
- Even when she could not get out and about due to COVID she gave her time preparing vegetable baskets for those in need.
- She was not an avid cook, but she made good chili. She could always be relied on to bring pop, chips, rolls, paper plates, etc. to pot luck events. Thankfully, she rarely supplied anything that was homecooked.
- Mickey embraced retirement with gusto. After she retired, John called Mickey and her sister Linda the "Ride Around Girls" because they were frequently out shopping, running errands, and lunching together.
- Mickey and Sharon belonged to a bowling league and Sharon made signs that she would hold up and wave at Mickey to signal her because she was so often socializing in a different lane when it was her turn to bowl.
- Mickey once read the Dictionary and was the human spellcheck for our family Scrabble games.
- Mickey never met a stranger, but she had incredibly special friendships with Patty Villareale and Fran Allen. Patty and Mickey have been friends since high school. They were described as Laverne and Shirley. Mickey was Laverne. Fran described Mickey as a giving gentle spirit and her partner in crime. They were called Frick and Frack at Eastman Kodak and often compared to Ethel and Lucy by their friends. Mickey was Lucy.
- Fred Boyd met Mickey when she worked in the Toner Tower and never forgave her for introducing him to his wife.
- Thomas Chaplin fondly remembers the Spades games that he played with Linda and Pat & Ozelle Vickers. As usual, Mickey was always there, but never played cards. She enjoyed socializing and would participate by refilling snacks for the players. For Mickey, it was always all about the people. Events or activities were just a vehicle for her to socialize.
- She inspired Kathy Glass to become a secretary when she used her shorthand skills to transcribe song lyrics for her sister Sharon and Kathy.
- We were surprised to discover, after she retired, that despite her have-bag-will-travel attitude, she did not like to fly. However, her desire to travel was greater than her dislike for flying so she flew without hesitation.
- She loved visiting John's family in Alabama in August every year.
- Mickey was a Teetotaler. She almost always had a Coca-Cola in her hand or nearby and enjoyed herself so much that people who did not know her well often thought that her drink was most likely a rum and Coke. She was high on life.
- As a teen, her niece Jeanne Gilbert decided that she did not like the nickname Mickey and began to call her Zelma Zigfried. It stuck, and she was Zelma to her nieces and nephews from then on.
- She loved to shop and loved fashion. In her younger years she did some modeling.
- She loved convertibles and passed that love on to her niece Linda Johnson.
- She loved dancing, especially the Electric Slide and the Cha Cha Slide.

Here is where one would normally say may she rest is peace, but we know that, for Mickey, the party was never over. As she enters heaven, she will be looking for a party, an event, or someone to talk to and asking everyone what sign they are. So, may she continue to have a great time.

She lives on in the hearts of her husband of 56 years, John Dortch, her stepdaughter, Deborah Torres, her grandchildren, her sisters, Linda Gilbert, Sharon Highsmith, and Karen Boyd (West Hartford, CT), and her brother-in-law, Frederick Boyd (West Hartford, CT) Floyd Charles Dortch (Washington, DC), and William Dortch (Columbus, Ohio) and her many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, William and Jeanne Wright, John's parents Alberta and Johnnie Dortch, her brothers-in-law, James Highsmith, Sr., Cleo Dortch, and Aaron Dortch. She will be especially missed by her friends Patricia Villareale and Francis Allen.

The family would like to thank the many caregivers who cared for Vada at Rochester General Hospital. In lieu of flowers, please wear a mask, socially distance, and wash your hands so that you and others are protected from COVID-19. If you wish to make a memorial donation, the family recommends the Rochester Regional Health Foundation RRH COVID-19 Support Fund or Gilda's Club.

Calling hours will be held at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 6 Empire Blvd, Rochester, NY 14609, on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 from 10:00am-12:00pm. A funeral service will be held privately at the convenience of the family.