Wright, Dorothy E. (Thorpe)

Dorothy E. (Thorpe) Wright, 87, formerly of Iowa City, died Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, at the Hiawatha Care Center after a lengthy illness. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City with a time of visitation one hour before the service.

Memorial contributions in Dorothy's name can be made to the St. Andrew's Choir, Iowa City Senior Center or the Hiawatha Care Center.

Online condolences for her family can be sent through the web at .

Dorothy Ellen (Dunlap) was born July 20, 1925, in Storm Lake, Iowa, daughter of Carroll and Gladys (Alcock) Dunlap. She graduated from Manchester High School and attended Iowa State for a short time. She was previously married to Ralph “Joe” Thorpe.

Throughout her life she enjoyed music as well as college studies. In the mid-40s she was Miss Waterloo. She sang many years in the church choir, most recently at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Iowa City. Her grandchildren were the light of her life! She loved their activities at school, a soccer game, or simply on the playground; she cherished that time and enjoyed seeing them excel through their education.

In her lifetime she worked for Nash-Finch and the University of Iowa Hospitals, in the Urology Department as a clerk typist for 13 years until her retirement in 1990. She moved to the Iowa City area in 1980 and had previously resided in Cedar Rapids. She was a member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Iowa City as well as the Iowa Genealogical Society.

Her family includes her children, Judy Nelson (Gary) of Mesa, Ariz., Jack Thorpe (Barbara) of Cedar Rapids, Sarah Nash of Coralville and Ray Thorpe of Iowa City; two stepchildren; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Betty Van Derck; and former husband, Robert Wright.

Dorothy's family would like to acknowledge and thank the staff at the Promise House and the Hiawatha Care Center for their loving care and support.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City is caring for Dorothy's family and her services.

Published in The Gazette Jan. 16, 2013.