Dorothy Williams

Dorothy Pauline Williams, age 77, of New Philadelphia, died Thursday, February 4, 2016, in Union Hospital at Dover following a sudden illness.

A daughter of the late Obediah Ralph and Nellie (Orr) Mahaffey, Dorothy was born in the family home at Rush Township, Ohio on December 9, 1938.

Dorothy attended the former Sanders and Uhrichsville schools. For many years, she helped to operate the former Driftwood Motel at New Philadelphia; and served as a housekeeper to a number of private residences.

She was passionate about flower gardening, craft work, cooking, and doing anything she could to help others. Dorothy loved having her family around and hosting Sunday dinners almost weekly at her home. She also enjoyed Country Music, taking car rides along the countryside and shopping with her friends.

Dorothy leaves behind her husband of 59 years, James Williams, Jr. whom she married on October 25, 1959; their children, Ralph (Jennifer) Williams of Dover, Doug Williams, Lisa (Mike) Rose, and Eric (Carrie) Williams all of New Philadelphia; her beloved grandchildren, Zachary, Sarah, Hannah, Lucas, Jennifer, Taylor, Emily, Andrea, Morgan and Maria; her great-grandson, Brayden, and her lifelong friend, Delores Williams.

Completing the family are her sisters, Marge Tharp, Mary Opal Parrish, and Kaye Page; her brothers, Jim Mahaffey, Tom Mahaffey, and Ronnie Mahaffey as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by a grandson, Henry Davis Williams, and her best friends, Violet and Don Cecil.

The family will receive guests on Sunday, February 7, 2016 from 2-5 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastor Rebecca Sisley will lead a service celebrating Dorothy’s life in the funeral home’s chapel on Monday at 1:30 PM. Burial will follow in the Ridgecrest Memorial Gardens. Following services, all are invited to share in a meal and fellowship in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the New Philadelphia funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Dorothy may be directed to a charity of the donor’s choice.