Dorothy Monsman

DOROTHY MONSMAN (nee Miller) age 93, beloved wife of the late Stephen; loving mother of Lawrence (wife Nancy), Kenneth (wife Margaret), James (wife Sandra) and Marlene Cardona (husband Carlos); devoted grandmother of Matt, Frank, Jason, Jared, Brian, Anthony, Erin, Arielle, Jessica, twins Hannah and Megan and great-grandmother of Isabelle, Liliah, Brandon, Maddox, and Corbin; dearest sister of the late John, Andrew, Joseph, Stephen, August, Martin and Fred Miller, Margaret Kudray, Helen Androsko, Mary Fisher, Pauline Sabol, and Dolores Selnekovic.

Dorothy Miller Monsman was born Feb. 8, 1923 in Farrell, PA to Andrew Miller and Mary Ann Kristonko Miller.

As a young girl, Dorothy worked alongside her parents and her brothers and sisters in the family business, The Nehi Bottling Company of Farrell, PA.  She was responsible for cleaning the floors of the “Pop Shop” after school. Various other siblings worked in production, distribution, and the office of the business.  For many years, the family lived in rooms above the Pop Shop, before moving to their home on Washington Street.

Dorothy graduated from Farrell High School in 1941 and went on to Shenango Valley Business College in Sharon, PA.  After graduation, she began working for the Office of Price Administration in Washington DC.  While living in DC, Dorothy helped run a campaign to pay for a Navy airplane, named the “Government Girl.”  She and some of her friends got together on the weekends to prepare bandages for the soldiers, and also sell war bonds to help with the effort. While living in Washington, Dorothy had the amazing experience of attending the 4th inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt, and attended the inaugural ball as well!

When her mother passed away, Dorothy left her life in Washington DC to return to PA to help raise her younger brother, Fred, and sister, Dolores.  This proved to be a good move, as it lead to Dorothy meeting Steve Monsman, her husband of 46 years!  Their wedding was on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1948.

Dorothy and Steve moved to Cleveland, eventually settling in Euclid, where they raised their family of three sons and a daughter. Dorothy’s love of family has been central to everything she did.  Spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren meant the world to her. She spent countless hours reading to them, playing games with them, and entertaining the whole family with her favorite stories.

Dorothy always enjoyed visiting with her many nieces and nephews, and loved taking trips “down home” to see everyone.  She was delighted when any of them came to visit. She also enjoyed travelling, often with one of her sisters.  On one particular trip, Dorothy visited her family in Slovakia and came back with many stories of the family’s origins.

There was never a day when Dorothy put herself first.  Her love and attention has sustained her family through every difficult day, and her joy has been the light of our lives.

Contributions may be made in Dorothy’s memory to St. John Vianney Catholic Church 7575 Bellflower Rd., Mentor, OH 44060.

Relatives and friends are invited to meet for the Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church at 10 AM. Cremation following by DeJohn Crematory. Private Burial at All Souls Cemetery. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Dorothy at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS, 28890 CHARDON ROAD (between Bishop Rd. and Rt. 91) MONDAY 3-5 and 6-8 PM.