Jones, Dorothy A., age 97 of Lincoln Park died September 23, 2015. Dorothy was born in South Bend, Indiana, the daughter of Walter and Hattie Celmer. She was the third of 7 children. Her siblings, Lucille, Clem, Bernie, Virginia, and Bobby all preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister Clare. The family moved from South Bend to Detroit due to her father's employment. She stayed behind and joined the family in Detroit a year later.

In 1949 she married Claude and started a family. They moved to Lincoln Park in 1954. Dorothy was a full time mother devoted to raising her family. She enjoyed bowling, knitting, doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, playing pinochle, euchre and poker. Dorothy was never one to turn down a trip to the casino, where she could sit for hours in front of a slot machine.

There was always the annual trek up north for the family vacation. You could find Dorothy and Claude every night on the lake with their bamboo fishing poles. Although she wasn't happy about all the work involved (she could and would complain) she always managed to have a great time. Those vacations created lasting memories for her entire family.

When various neighborhood families needed dependable, nurturing childcare, they knew they could count on Dorothy. She would care for them as if her own. Most of the now grown kids kept in touch with her throughout the years.

One by one as their kids moved out and Claude retired, they did some traveling, including trips to Vegas, Toronto and Niagara Falls. They would pick fresh fruits and vegetables and spend hours canning and freezing.

As old age slowly crept in they spent more time at home. Their afternoons involved playing lots of games (cribbage, 2 handed pinochle, skipbo, yahtzee, to name a few) to pass the time.

Dorothy was in her late 70's when Claude became ill and she became his full time caregiver. For 2 years (until his death) she tended to his every need without a break and without complaint. Their kids helped as they could but she did the lion's share.

After Claude died she stubbornly lived in the same house in Lincoln Park on her own until past her 95th birthday. She was able to continue to fend for herself, but gradually needed more and more help. Unfortunately she fell in November, 2013 and was never able to fully recover. She spent her final years in a nursing home where she received the care she required.

Dorothy passed away peacefully at Wyandotte Hospital with her 4 children and 3 of her grandchildren present to help ease her passing. She leaves behind 4 children. Her daughter Pat (Jim, deceased) Weston gave her 4 grandchildren – Barbara (Ed) McClain, Carolyn (Tom) Rachfal, Jimmy and Russell plus 3 great-grandchildren – Michael, Christopher (Mary Kate) and Sarah Rachfal. Son David (Susan) Jones added 3 more grandchildren – Megan (Brendon) Weil, Kevin and Jamie and 4 great-grandchildren – Mason, Alexa and Skylar Weil and Gavin Jones. From daughter Claudia (Richard) Opra she was presented with 2 more grandchildren – Adam (Marisa) Killian and Kate (Eric) Marshall and 6 great-grandchildren – Jack, Charlie, Tommy and Joey Killian, Ashlyn Smith and Michael Killian. Son John (Linda) Jones gave her her final grandchild – Cindi McCaffrey and 2 great-grandchildren – Alyssa and Scott McCaffrey.

She will be missed by all.

Visitation Friday 2-8pm with a 7pm prayer service at J.L.Peters Funeral Home, 3880 Fort St, Lincoln Park, MI 48146. (313) 928-6500. In state Saturday 9:30am with Mass at 10am at St. Constance Catholic Church. Please sign the guest book and print a memorial at www.jlpetersfuneralhome.com