Plan for the Future
Dorothy Elizabeth Johnson Dewey, 89, of Augusta, NJ, was born in Des Moines, Iowa, to Jennie Elizabeth Hallstrom Johnson and Guthard Leonard Johnson. She joined her Lord and Savior on October 22, 2019 at home with her loving family, after a valiant battle with the disease appropriately named the Long Goodbye.
Dorothy is survived by her daughters: Diana Lynn Dewey McFarland (Michael predeceased) of Urbandale, Iowa, and Kristi Lee Dewey Hansen (Keith predeceased) of Augusta, NJ; her grandchildren Jennifer Lynn McFarland Polson (Mike) of Urbandale, Iowa; Jonathan Dewey McFarland (Nursel) of Des Moines, Iowa; Matthew Ray Hansen of Augusta, NJ; and Katherine Lee Hansen Provel (Gary) of Manville, NJ; three great-grandchildren, Isabella Ayse McFarland, Jon Michael Polson, and Jessica Hope Provel; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dorothy went through the Des Moines District School graduating from her “Beloved East High” in 1948 remaining a dedicated Scarlet to the end! This is where she met her high school sweetheart Raymond Lester Dewey Jr., whom she married and preceded her death after 53 years of marriage.
Dorothy was diminutive in stature but not in personality or fortitude! She was selected by IBM out of high school to be trained for the new computer industry and either worked directly for them or companies contracted by them. Most of her career was in support of the transportation industry, Brady Motor Freight, Ruan Transportation, before retiring from the credit union industry.
Dorothy was a lifelong Christian. She was baptized, confirmed, and married in the Swedish Covenant Church. Dorothy was a member of Westminster United Presbyterian Church for more than twenty years before becoming United Methodist when she moved to the East Coast. She was a member of the Morristown UMC for more than 16 years and volunteered daily there for over a decade. She was a member of an Eastern Star Chapter in Des Moines.
Dorothy loved to read and did so until the last very few months of her life. She was known for her smile, her willingness to help, and her sweetness. She never needed to be in the spotlight. She was always part of the support crew: a cheerleader, an encourager, an ear available to listen. She was not a GREAT cook– letting all know that very fact about herself. She was raised and then raised her family to be a “sandwich generation” family, so no one went hungry as there was always someone else that loved to cook or bake! Her love was doing laundry! Her family always had clean clothes–nowhere to put them away but there you go!!!
She taught her “girls” that grandmas were not babysitters but family members caring for the next generation. She was always proud that her girls never had a babysitter since her parents lived with them and were available and happy to care for “the girls.”
A service of celebration of Life and Resurrection is scheduled for Nov. 16 at 1 pm at the Morristown United Methodist Church, 50 S Park Place, Morristown, NJ, followed by an Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social in Fellowship Hall.
Dorothy’s family would like to thank the whole team at the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice for their compassionate care and support during this long and difficult time. God bless each of you! The family wants to thank her church family at Morristown UMC and her new church families in Sussex County for all their concern and care of her and her family.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to Morristown UMC, 50 S Park Pl, Morristown, NJ 07960 or Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta, Newton, NJ 07860.
