Dorothy Connell

Although Dorothy “Dot” Connell valued many things throughout her long life, none were more important than creating close relationships with the family she treasured so deeply. She was a loving wife, devoted mother and proud grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother, who derived endless joy from watching her family grow and succeed. Dorothy was a woman of great strength who worked hard throughout her life and persevered through trials that came her way, always remaining true to the joy that was in her heart.

Although it fell within the time frame of World War I, 1916 was a year marked by many great events. While Albert Einstein worked on completing his theory of relativity, Charlie Chaplin was at the height of his fame entertaining wartime audiences as a silent movie star. It was into this heightened world of war and laughter that Dorothy was born in Alpena, Michigan to Ernest and Frances (Houk) LaRoche. She was one of three children in her family, and was very close with her sister, Erma, and brother, Jack, all their lives. Dorothy loved her parents deeply and they instilled in her strong values that would guide her through life. Although stricken with crippling arthritis, her mother did fine seamstress work as a sustaining hobby, while her father worked in a quarry all day, then came home to take care of his wife and children. Both her parents always had a smile on their faces no matter the circumstance, and this made an unforgettable impression on young Dorothy.

As a young girl, Dorothy was so very skinny, so much so that she had to stay in for recess at school to drink eggnog to try to put some meat on her bones. Dorothy received her education in the Alpena area schools, but left Alpena High after the 10th grade to find work. It wasn’t long before Dorothy fell in love with a young man named Jack Sanborn and they were married in St. Paul Lutheran Church. They made their home in Rockport, Michigan, where Jack worked for D&M Railroad. They soon became the parents of two children, Janet and Jack, but also suffered the tragic loss of their twin daughters (1 died at birth, and the other at 9 months old) and an infant son. In time, however, Dorothy’s marriage to Jack ended in divorce. As time went on, Dorothy found love again when she met Frederic Connell, and they were married on March 22, 1952, in a civil ceremony in Rogers City in Northern Michigan. It wasn’t long before they added the joy and laughter of two children to their lives with the births of their daughter, Cheryl, and son, Terry.

Dorothy was a woman who exemplified all things a mother should be. She was patient, caring and generous with her time; she never thought twice about going out of her way to help her family when needed. When her son, Jack, tragically died in the Vietnam War in 1968, Dorothy was vigilant about keeping his memory alive, and she visited him at White Chapel Cemetery faithfully 3 times a year for over 40 years. She was counted to the American Gold Star Mothers Club, who gave support to mothers who lost their son/daughter in a war. It was the moments Dorothy shared with her family that meant the world to her. Her greatest joy was being surrounded by their love and smiles at family get togethers; meanwhile, her most prized possession was her family photo albums and memorabilia that always brought back sweet memories.

Dorothy was a beautiful woman, both inside and out. She took great pride in her appearance, and stayed fit walking the mall. She had a “skin care” routine she religiously did every night before bed, which undoubtedly kept her so young looking. Whenever there was some foot-tapping music playing, Dorothy loved to get up and dance; she was a mover and a shaker! It was said Dorothy and Frederic were the “cool, old couple” because they were like groupies, following their son and grandson around Michigan with their rock and roll bands. Dorothy took great care of her children throughout their lives, and in her final years, her daughters, Janet and Cheryl, her granddaughters, Gailyn and Susan, and great granddaughter, Stephanie, returned the love by taking very good care of her as did Mary Hilton who broke down walls by helping both Dorothy and Fred. A devoted, loving mother and grandmother, Dorothy will be sadly missed.

Dorothy V. ”Dot” Connell, 96, of Alpena, MI died on Monday, April 15, 2013, at Tendercare Greenview, after the long goodbye with Alzheimer’s disease. Surviving are three children; Janet M. Southwell, Cheryl (Tom) Ludwiczak both of Alpena, Terry (Kris) Connell of Holly, MI; six grandchildren: Matthew J. Southwell, Gailyn (Bill Osborne) O’Brien, Susan Southwell, Craig (Becky) Ludwiczak, Adam Connell, Rachel Connell; seven great-grandchildren: Brenden (Kristi) O’Brien, Kailey O’Brien, Stephanie, Sarah, & Sam Southwell, Katelynn & Stellar Ludwiczak; and two great-great grandsons, Seth & Noah O’Brien. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederic Connell on July 19, 2010, a son, Jack Sanborn (who Dorothy continued to visit at White Chapel Cemetery 3 times annually for over 40 years), an infant grandson, Ian Connell, a sister, Erma Minton, and a brother, Jack LaRoche.

Dorothy Connell is at McWilliams Funeral Home – Alpena, where friends may call on Friday, April 19, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, April 20, from 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home until the time of the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Shirley Ross-Jones officiating. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Please visit Dorothy’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a memory or sign the on-line guest book.