Mae E. Dorman's Obituary
Mae E. (Ritter) Dorman, age 101, of Lewes, DE, died Thursday, February 19, 2009, at her residence. Mrs. Dorman was born February 9, 1908 in Milford, DE, the youngest of seven and the only daughter of the late Frederick and Sarah Frances (Litz) Ritter.
Mrs. Dorman married her late husband, Albert Dorman (1993), in 1925 at the youthful age of 17 and resided in Lewes. During the depression years, they moved to Bridgeton, NJ where her husband found work to support their growing family and she tended a huge garden for feeding the family. She sewed all their clothing and always counted her blessings. In 1941, the family returned to Lewes as construction of Fort Miles was underway. Mrs. Dorman did her part to support the family by operating a boarding house for 8 to 10 men working at Fort Miles all the while raising her family that grew to seven children. As a result of the untiring efforts of Mrs. Dorman, the family was able to purchase a large farm in 1942 where they lived until 1985. Mrs. Dorman handled all the farm work, i.e., milking cows, plowing, planting and harvesting while Mr. Dorman worked on union projects, often times away from home for extended periods. When the farm was sold, Mrs. Dorman and her late husband moved to a residential community where they had a yard with a garden that was the envy of all. Mrs. Dorman was a devoted wife, loving mother, an adored Mother-in-Law, worshiped Grand Mom, Great Grandmom, Great Great Grandmom and Aunt Mae to all the Ritter children. She will be sorely missed by her large family, her neighbors and many friends. Mrs. Dorman was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Unity Chapter 16, for 61 years and was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church, Lewes.
In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Ernest Dorman and her daughter Evelyn Brumbaugh (both in 2007); a granddaughter, Sue Ellen Dorman Wright (2007) and a grandson Joshua Allyn Thomas (1985); and her six brothers, Herbert, Roy, Lynn, William, Earl and Howard Ritter.
She is survived by her four daughters: Elizabeth Thomas of Seaford, Joan Moore (Harry) of Lewes, Sarah Rickards (William) of Pt. Charlotte, FL and Susan Stone of Rehoboth Beach; and her son Al Dorman (Sharon) of Milton; 12 grandchildren: Edwin Thomas (Karen) of Gaithersburg, MD, Neil Thomas (Susan) of Harpers Ferry, WV, Frank D. Brumbaugh and Boyd Brumbaugh both of Philipsburg, PA, Brent Moore (Nancy) and Mark Moore (Barbara) all of Lewes, Nancy Novak (Leon) of Millsboro, Jayne Leitzel (Wayne) of York, PA, Terry Moscaritolo (Lou) of New Hartford, CT, Tammy Rickards of Millsboro, Sarah Seigfried (Stan) of Berlin, MD, and Amanda Welch of Milton; 19 great-grandchildren: Douglas, Grant and Jacob Thomas, Katherine Gelineau (Matt), Mark Moore, Jr. (Sara), Jordan and Jesse Moore, Lauri Moore Vent (Eric), William and Brendan Murphy, Jesse Matson, Nicki and Ryan Soucy, Skylar Seigfried, Josh and Alicia Berman, Zachary and Victor Novak, and Jeff Uhlendorf; one great-great-grandson, Justin Cruz Vent; daughter-in-law Doris Dorman of Millsboro; and son-in-law Frank J. Brumbaugh of Philipsburg, PA.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 21, 11:00 AM, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes; Eastern Star services will begin at 11:00 followed by the Christian service. Pastor Fred Duncan will be officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment will be at White's Chapel Cemetery, Milton, DE.
Please omit flowers. Contributions may be made to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE or to Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 West 4th Street, Lewes, DE 19958.
Send online condolences to: [email protected]
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