Dorothea Elizabeth Steigelman Bryson

Dorothea Elizabeth Steigelman Bryson, died peacefully in her 94th year on April 4, 2012 with loved ones nearby. Born in Lancaster, PA on March 7, 1918, she was the daughter of the late Mary and Harry Steigelman. Mrs. Bryson devoted her life to helping the greater community. After working for the Armstrong Cork Co. and the Children’s Bureau of Lancaster, she became Director of the Lancaster County Domestic Relations Department and retired after 15 years.

Moving to Newark, DE to be closer to her family, Mrs. Bryson dedicated her later life to being a full-time volunteer for the Newark Senior Center where she served on the Board of Directors and was awarded the Jefferson Award for selfless service and the Morning Rotary Award. She was instrumental in helping to raise funds for the new Senior Center, in preparation of newsletters to all members and in planning Senior Center trips.

Her lifetime interest in crafts led to many creative hours preparing items for the Senior Center Craft Shop and for the Millcroft Retirement Center gift shop making money to purchase items for the common good of all residents. Other hobbies included gardening, sewing, reading, traveling, fishing, watching baseball and following her granddaughters in sports. She was always curious to learn something new.

Mrs. Bryson is preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, J. Frank Bryson and is survived by two daughters, Phyllis Biddle and her husband Paul of Newark, DE and Carol Mills and her husband William of Bear, DE; granddaughters, Kristin Caldwell and her husband Lee, Sarah Keever and her husband Adam and Bonnie Mills. She is also survived by her great grandson, William Caldwell.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 9, 2012 in the Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 525 Polly Drummond Hill Road, Newark, DE, where friends and family may visit one hour prior to the service. Interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice or Ebenezer United Methodist Church, c/o R.T. Foard and Jones Funeral Home, 122 West Main Street, Newark, DE 19711.