Dorothy “Dodie” McCartney died peacefully Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018, early in the morning, at Lexington Court Care Center.
Born March 21, 1930 during the Great Depression, she was raised in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood of East Mansfield. Dodie and her extended family lived in a two car garage that her father had converted into a home during those hard years. Three rooms and a coal stove provided all that was necessary to develop strong family bonds based on love and caring. As adults, her brother, sisters, nieces, and nephews often repeated stories of sharing clothes and chores in a childhood that sounded like a colorful chapter in a Steinbeck novel.
Like her older brother and sisters Dodie began working early in her life. Cleaning houses on weekends and serving sodas at the Five and Dime provided spending money for a lively and energetic high school girl. Later Dodie worked at The Ohio Brass Corporation and at Buckeye Richland Plumbing and Heating, from where she retired.
Above all things Dodie will be remembered as a caring and doting grandmother. Grandma Dodie’s approach to raising grandchildren was obviously “spare the rod and spoil the child.” She frequently drove a car load of grandkids to two or three take-out restaurants with individual orders. When questioned about the practicality of this routine Dodie’s response was a firm, “don’t tell me how to raise my grandchildren!” Indulged youngsters were the norm at Dodie’s home and at no time was this more obvious than the holiday season. Christmas was her favorite time of year. The tree was up and decorated in early November and stayed up some years into February. And on the day after Christmas, plans for the following year were already being initiated.
No statement about this wonderful woman’s life would be complete without mentioning the people with whom she shared a special relationship. Dodie and her niece Marilyn Yeager were joined at the hip. From childhood on they shared an extraordinary bond created by growing up with little material wealth and learning to rely on family at an early age. Their seemingly endless phone calls were frequently a source of frustration for other family members, but the two believed that if others didn’t like it, well then, they shouldn’t worry about it. Dodie also found constant support and encouragement in her best friend, Lynn James. Their friendship has survived the toughest of times as well as the happiest days. The story of the two eighty year olds driving to Columbus in order to spring a dog from the pound is a hilarious family legend.
The family would also like to acknowledge The Lexington Court Care Center for the continual kindness and support they gave to Dodie while she was a resident at their facility. The very thoughtful and considerate STNAs, nurses, and staff members always made her feel special and appreciated. You guys were great! Also, we would like to extend a well deserved thank you to the men and women who serve on the Troy Township Fire Department. Your caring professional responses will not be forgotten.
Dodie is survived by a son, Guy (Cynthia Callahan) Daly; a daughter, Lori Day; grandchildren, Chelsi (Jesse) Ghiorzi, Chris (Tiffany) Daly, McKenna Day, and Joshua Daly; great-granddaughter, Cecilia Dodie Ghirozi; a niece, Marilyn (Dean) Yeager; and other nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel C. Schwier and Bertha Mae Schwier; siblings, George (Gerry) Schwier, Bertha Mae (Bill) Wilkins, Betty (Russ) Vasilovic, and Margaret (Tom) Campbell; and her grandson, Storm Daly.
Dodie’s children understand that she has touched the lives of so many people it would be impossible to mention everyone. With that in mind they will be receiving visitors at the China Club Restaurant, 1217 Park Avenue West, on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018 from 2 to 5 p.m.
There are many stories the family would like to share so please join them in celebrating the life of this amazing woman. The Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors is honored to serve the family of Dodie McCartney.
Words of comfort may be expressed to the family at www.wappner.com
