Dorothy Crystal

Dorothy (Dottie) Crystal, 93, passed away at Danbury Woods of Wooster, Ohio on January 18.

Dottie was the adored, only-child of Albert and Belle (Siegel) Cohen of Chicago, Illinois. She was a vivacious child, and made friends in school, who remained her lifelong friends. Dottie attended the University of Illinois and UCLA, where she allegedlyy worked on a Rose Bowl float.  She returned to college after Ken and Beth were born and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Chicago State Teachers College. After graduation, Dottie began a teaching career, educating and inspiring elementary students for the Chicago Public School system for 25 years. After retirement, she continued to teach until she was 79, only this time, for adults learning English as a second language at Oakton Community College. In her later years, she preferred wintering in California, where she could continue to work on her golf swing and stargaze with the Astronomy club. Dottie will always be remembered as a loving mother and fun grandmother, who was active, had a youthful spirit, and loved adventure.  She traveled the world and relished sharing stories with new people and friends.

Dottie is survived by son Ken (Marg) Love of Captain Cook, HI; daughter Beth Hodges of Wooster, OH; Debbie (Tim) Smith of Morganton, GA; Larry (Judy) Crystal of Warwick, RI; And grandchildren: Chris Meskin, Rob Love, Jennifer LaVoie, Sarah Haley, Andrew Hodges, John Totten, David Totten, Chris Totten and Jordan Crystal, and 9 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Norman Crystal, and her daughter, Barbara Crystal.

A Memorial Service will be held at Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago on January 27 at 11:00 a.m.  Interment follows after the service.  The family wishes to thank her special caregivers at Danbury and End of Life Care through Hospice.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Dorothy Crystal Elementary Education Fund c/o Wayne County Community Foundation 517 N. Market; Wooster, OH  44691.  This fund is to support public school teachers with funding to execute special and supplemental programs for their class.