Dorothy Caldwell Briss

Dorothy Briss, aged 94, died peacefully in her sleep on March 2, 2025, in Powell, OH. She was born July 12, 1930 near South Salem, OH, the daughter of Edward M. and Grace P. Caldwell. She was the loving younger sibling to Kenneth Edward Caldwell and Mary Lou Caldwell Pross. She graduated from Buckskin High School in South Salem in 1948 and from the College of Wooster (OH) in 1952. An inspiring lifelong educator, her first teaching job was at Edison Junior High School in Marion, OH.

In 1955 she travelled to Tehran, Iran to serve as a missionary teacher at the American Community School. She Married Elemér Briss, also a teacher at that school, in 1958 at the Presbyterian Mission Chapel in Tehran.

They returned to the United States in 1958 where they lived in Berea, Kentucky while Elemér obtained his bachelor’s degree. During that time she was Secretary to the President of Berea College.

They moved to Columbus, Ohio in 1961 where she taught at Hastings Middle School in Upper Arlington for 26 years. She completed a Masters Degree in Education1969 at The Ohio State University. Dorothy took great joy from her family, her church activities, teaching, music, and travel. She was active in the Upper Arlington Senior Center, the Bethel Folk Ensemble, and Bethel Presbyterian Church.

Elemér Briss died in 2015. Dorothy is survived by their son Peter, his wife Sue, and their daughters Erin Swinney (John) and Laura (Molly Howel), her son Steve, his wife Lynne, and their children Bryan (Michelle), Andrew, and Kathryn. Visiting hours will occur at Schoedinger Northwest, 1740 Zollinger Road, Columbus, OH 43221 on March 9, 2025 from 2-5 PM. A memorial service for Dorothy will be held at Bethel Presbyterian Church at a later date.