Dorothy E Growden

Dorothy E. Growden, 83, passed away at home Friday, November 15, 2013, surrounded by her loving husband and family. Born in Niagara, Wisconsin, the eldest of five children of Frank and Edith DeCremer, she left small town life for adventure, first in Milwaukee, then San Francisco, where she met and married James (Jim) N. Growden. Her hometown best friend, Doris Moll, introduced her to Jim and became her sister-in-law three years later, marrying Jims brother Robert Growden in California. Doris survives in Glen Ellyn, IL.After the birth of their first daughter they moved to Toledo, Jims hometown, raising four children there and in nearby Sylvania, Ohio. Dorothy was a homemaker and later worked for Industrial Printing Company twenty-five years, retiring at age sixty-five in 1995. She and Jim spent many retirement years traveling to visit family up north and in Florida, Alaska and California. Dorothy also took numerous road trips herself, up over the Mackinac Bridge, to join her sister Virginia in caring for their mother in the last years of her life. Dorothy had a talent for art, which she shared with others in the form of crocheted afghans, needlework, and ceramics painting. She was meticulous in taking care of her home and family, was known as a sweetheart who rarely had a cross word for anyone and enjoyed many giggles with her sister Virginia Hanke (Jerome), who survives in Milwaukee, WI. She is also survived by her brother, Norman (Mary Lou) DeCremer, Niagara, WI; daughters Linda (Michael) Androvich, Grand Rapids, OH; Cynthia Growden (Michael Allen), Santee, CA; sons, Jay Growden, Fairbanks, AK and James F. (Sofia) Growden, Waterville, OH. She so enjoyed her four grandchildren, both near and far; Eric Androvich, Los Angeles, CA; Angela and Joe Soto, Waterville, OH; and Rachelle Persson, Fairbanks, AK. Dorothy was preceded in death by her younger brothers, Bill (Kathy) DeCremer and David DeCremer. Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life gathering to share in memories of Dorothy at the home of Linda and Mike Androvich on Saturday, November 23rd, 2013 from 2-6PM. The family suggests any memorials go to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, who provided caring support during Dorothys journey in the last year of her life, or a charity of the donors choice. Online condolences may be shared at www.toledocremation.com