Dorothy J. Keith

To view the livestream of Dorothy's service please click here at 10:45 am on Friday, September 10, 2021.

Dorothy Jane Johnson Menas Keith, age 98, died peacefully on August 25, 2021. Dot was born in Downingtown on January 24, 1923 to Ola P. Johnson and Wilmer C. Johnson. Dot will be remembered as a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was married to Charles A. Menas and James Keith. Both of her husbands predeceased Dot leaving her the matriarch of an expansive extended family.

Dot is survived by her children, Annawyn Terry (Ken Terry) and Chuck Menas (Kerry Menas). She is also survived by son-in-law, Philip E. Gillespie, husband of Martha Gillespie, Dot’s daughter who predeceased her. In addition, Dot is survived by step-son, David Keith and step-son-in-law Jack Stapleton. Step-daughter, Helen Rissell Stapleton and step-son-in-law, Terry Rissell both predeceased Dot. Her legacy lives in her 24 grandchildren and step-grandchildren and a boatload of great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. It was Dot’s family and deep faith that gave her purpose in life. She was a voracious reader and prolific writer of poetry. Her verse brought delight to all who read it.

A longtime resident of Downingtown, Dot touched the lives of many as an active member of the First Baptist Church and as a veteran teacher at Beaver Creek Elementary School. Dot spent the final years of her amazingly long and beautiful life at Willow Valley Retirement Community in Lancaster, PA.  There, she also impacted the lives of many with her positive approach to life even during the recent challenges with which we have all faced. The sincere and loving approach that the Willow Valley Staff and Caring Hospice extended to Dot helped make this possible.

The surviving members of Dot’s family feel the tremendous loss of a truly inspirational woman. They will pay tribute to a life well lived at a private graveside service at Northwood Cemetery in Downingtown.

Well done, good and faithful servant...enter into the joy of your master   Matthew 25:23

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