August 21, 1920 – January 17, 2019
Dorothy Lucile Allen Cryer was born in Chicago in August 1920 to Clara B. Patterson Allen and Earl R. Allen. She met Newman S. Cryer, Jr. at a dance, in 1941, held for the Naval Officers who were attending Midshipmen’s School at Northwestern University. They married in August 1943 and, after the end of the war, moved to Nashville, Tennessee where Newman began as editor for The Pastor magazine. They lived there, where their two children were born, for 10 years and in 1956, they moved to Arlington Heights, Illinois for Newman’s new position with the Christian Advocate. It was during this time that Dorothy began nursing classes at Harper College. In 1971, they moved to Indianapolis where Newman began serving as Director of Public Relations for the United Methodist Church for the State of Indiana. Dorothy transferred to IUPUI’s nursing program and graduated in 1973 with her RN. She spent the next 13 years with Community Hospital East retiring as head nurse in orthopedics. She was a perfect match for nursing.
Dorothy and Newman shared an interest and love for travel and maintained a respect and appreciation for the cultures and religions of all people. Both were always active in the Methodist churches they attended over the years but it was Lawrence United Methodist in Indianapolis where she became involved in the establishment of a “shut in” visitation program in the 1970s. Part of that visitation program included visiting residents at Westminster Village North which ended up creating a familiarity and comfortableness with the place that was key in her future care. After Newman’s death in 1995, members of Lawrence UMC continued to provide a loving community of faith through their friendships, support and watching out for each other.
In 2008, Dorothy moved to Westminster Village North. She transitioned from Independent Living to Memory Care over the years and was well liked (no surprise!), becoming affectionately known as Nurse Cryer. Her mantra to so many who cared for her was, “You’re the Best in the West and the Pride of the Prairie”.
Dorothy was an unusually kind, loving and joyful person. She took great comfort in and received strength from her faith, and taught by her actions more than her words. She shared her gifts generously. She will be missed everyday.
She leaves to cherish her memory her son Paul (Sara) and daughter Cathy (Gary) and three “perfect” grandchildren, Mary, Nicky, and Maggie. We, her family, cannot adequately express how grateful we are for her church family’s support over the years and the wonderful, caring individuals who work at Westminster Village North. We also thank Heart to Heart Hospice Care who provided special care for her these last several months.
A memorial service for Dorothy will Friday, January 25th at 2:00 p.m.
at Westminster Village North, Sycamore Dining Room
11050 Presbyterian Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46236.
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