Dorothy D. Gasper

Dorothy D. Gasper Age 91, of O'Hara Township, died peacefully Tuesday, Dec 1. 2015. She was born a daughter of a coalminer and married the son of a coalminer. Dorothy Gasper's life was partially fueled by coal, but forever fueled by the family she supported, loved and comforted throughout her 91-year life. Dorothy was raised in the tiny town of Helvetia and was the only student from her high school graduating class who attended college. She received a business degree from DuBois Business College and went on to an accounting career spanning 40 years with Rockwell International, PPG, HandR Block and Perlman, Glass and Faigin. She was a pioneer in an era when women faced hiring discrimination and was one of few women who received equal pay to her male counterparts. Dorothy did not like attention, preferring instead to be the quiet workhorse behind the scenes in a variety of service groups, including treasurer of the local chapter of Women's Auxiliary to the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers (WAIME) and the St. Edward Christian Mothers' Guild. She was an avid bridge player. Dorothy and her husband traveled the globe, visiting all 50 states and more than 25 countries. She took pilgrimage trips to Lourdes, France, Fatima, Portugal, and the Holy Land and was twice privileged to be in a papal audience. Perhaps her proudest travel accomplishment came after searching a small village in Slovakia and finding the childhood home of her maternal grandmother. She is survived by her beloved husband of 63 years, Donald; daughters, Barbara Gasper, Teri (Tom) Keith, DeeDee (Phil) Dorenkott and Karla (Gary) Enzweiler; grandchildren, Brandon and Lindsey Dorenkott, Bobby and A.J. Hauer; and step-granddaughter, Caroline Keith. Visitation will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, at THOMAS M. SMITH FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY LTD., 930 Center Ave., Blawnox, PA 15238, with the rosary at 3 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, at St. Pio Parish/St. Edward Church. Friends and family are to meet at the funeral home at 10am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, EWTN, Boys Town or Operation Smile.

Dorothy D. Gasper

September 30, 1924 - December 1, 2015