Dorothy Ann Radel

Dorothy Ann Radel (née Payne), 88, died unexpectedly and peacefully in her sleep at home in Fort Collins, CO early in the morning of July 21, 2022, with her dog Rufus curled up at her knees and her housemate’s dog Annie nestled at her chest.

She is pre-deceased by her parents (Ruth Nicholls and Stanley Payne) and one sister (Lyn Thor). She is survived by three generations of family including her sons Jeff (Susan Jackson) and Scott (Kathy) and five grandchildren (Rachael, Nicholas, Aaron, Taylor, and Shea). She was the eldest of six children, and she is survived by her sister Gretchen Payne, and her brothers Art, Nick (Barbara), and Hiram (Lela), by her brother-in-law Gary Thor, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Finally, she is survived by a number of close friends in the Ft. Collins area. Family was important to Dorothy Ann; she appreciated the Payne family humor (those who know, understand) and enjoyed antics of her family during Thanksgiving and other gatherings. Her spectacular tri-layer Christmas fruitcakes were, in turn, appreciated (by a subset of the family) and often by initially reluctant then enthusiastic friends and acquaintances.

Dorothy Ann was born in Denver, CO; grew up in Arlington, VA, Princeton, NJ and Cleveland, OH; spent much of her married life (Erle Radel) in the Toledo, OH area; and moved back to Colorado (Fort Collins) in 2003. She raised her two sons and returned to college to become a registered nurse when they were teenagers. Family believe her sons’ frequent trips to emergency rooms influenced her decision to become a nurse; with that practical medical experience she was prepared even before her nursing career began. She served the geriatric population in a long-term care setting in Perrysburg, Ohio.

Throughout her life, Dorothy Ann was an exceptional needleworker, a dog lover, and an avid reader (she admitted to preferring novels not considered as “literature”). She did a wide variety of needlework: knitting, crocheting, embroidery, needlepoint, latch hooking, counted cross stitch, quilting, and sewing. Family members and friends have many of these needlework projects to cherish and remember her by. In retirement, she gained additional interests including jigsaw puzzles and volunteering with a local breeder; for many years, she and friends were regulars at “the ranch” to care for dogs and puppies. Although Dorothy Ann embraced new ideas, activities, and people she did not care to use technology – computers, the Internet, and e-mail were anathema, although she eventually caved and acquired a cell phone for texting family (still was not smooth sailing…).

Dorothy Ann was a loving, caring, and generous person and exhibited these qualities in all aspects of her work and home life. She will be missed deeply and thought of fondly by family and friends from all phases of her life. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society (for research) or the Alzheimer’s Association.