Dorothy Mae Michener

Dorothy Mae Michener (née Strobel), of Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, who was born to Ferdnand and Marion Strobel on July 27,1926, and grew up in the Frankford area of Philadelphia, Pa, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2025, at the age of 99 after a long and happy life. Dorothy was known as “Dot” to many but from a young age, she preferred to be called “Dotte with an E.” Growing up during the Great Depression years, Dotte and her siblings knew the meaning of being frugal and doing without. They never went hungry, but learned about sacrifice, sharing, hard work, and supporting each other in a loving family environment. Her high school years were filled with roller skating, dancing at Saint Tim’s along to Jimmy Dorsey’s Big Band and Frank Sinatra. She met her husband, Walter, while in high school but with the beginning of WWII he, along with many of his friends, joined the Military in support of their country. Dad served in the Air Force and took part in many air missions over Europe. Upon his return, they married and moved to Chicago, Il. Returning to the Philadelphia area, they settled in the far Northeast and raised a family of five children. They moved to New Jersey in the mid 1960s. There, Dotte continued to devote her time to her family, friends, neighbors and co workers along with various jobs. She worked as a waitress in the Burlington Room at Pomeroys Department Store and later as a Nurses Aide at Cinnaminson Manor. She was a Girl Scout Leader and a Member of the Friendship Guild, an avid reader, lover of nature, gardening, literature, poetry, and art. She also loved music of all kinds with a special interest in the classical composer Sergio Rachmaninoff. She adored watching old movies such as “Casablanca” and “Gone With the Wind.” -and every Halloween she watched “E.T.” At age 50 Dotte, returned to school and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She worked in the Maternity Department of Garden State Hospital in Marlton, NJ, on a Medical/surgical unit at Burlington County Memorial Hospital in Mount Holly, NJ (now Virtua), and at the Evergreens Long-Term Care Center in Moorestown NJ. She retired in 1987 and moved to Melbourne, Florida. Dotte returned to New Jersey in 1996 and said good bye to dad in July 1997. Dotte lived in her little home in Rittenhouse for the next twenty years tending her garden, cooking, baking cookies, and welcoming many grandchildren. A devoted mother and grandmother, she is survived by her children Kenneth R. Michener (Jeanie Michener), Marilyn DiPaolo (Joseph DiPaolo), and Susan Foust (William Foust, deceased). Her legacy continues on through her grandchildren: Jonathan Matthew DiPaolo, Dr. Brian Christopher DiPaolo, PhD (Lisa Lyon DiPaolo), Andrew Joseph DiPaolo (Alexys Cloran), Thomas Daniel DiPaolo (Dr. Lauren Rodriguez DiPaolo, PhD), Dr. Brittany Coats, PhD, Laura Michener Marshall (Anthony Marshall), Stacey Michener Karafin (Alan Karafin), Kristopher William Foust, Jason Robert Foust (Sarah Foust), Edward Michener, Kristina Michener, and April Michener. She was also blessed with 14 great-grandchildren. Also survived by her brother Kenneth Strobel age 103 in Pa., Marilyn Homer Flanagan age 101 in Virgina and many nieces and nephews across the country and world. Dorothy was predeceased by her husband Walter E. Michener, children Linda Ann Michener, Edward A. Michener and brother Robert Strobel. A Memorial service will be held in the Spring of 2026. A private burial was held in Colestown Cemetery, Cherry Hill, NJ. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s’ Children’s Hospital , 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now or Samaritan Hospice C/o Samaritan Gift Processing Center PO Box 71425, Philadelphia, PA 19176-1425. https://www.samaritannj.org/giving/donate-now/