Dorothy May Diorio

Dorothy M. DiOrio (Dottie) was a quiet leader with an independent, pioneering spirit whose accomplishments, generosity, and friendship inspired several generations. She was a career professor of foreign languages, an accomplished musician, a life-long adventurer, and a generous friend and mentor to students, colleagues, and family around the world. As one friend said, “she was a treasure, a true Renaissance woman.” Dottie died at her home in Montgomery, Alabama on January 24, 2025, at age 92.

Dottie was born in York, PA. on November 17, 1932. Into her ninth decade she continued to live independently and to do many of the things she loved which included giving private French lessons twice a week via FaceTime, participating in weekly Montgomery French club meetings, attending the Montgomery Symphony and Chamber Music concerts, and corresponding with and hosting visiting family and friends from around the U.S. and Europe.

Throughout her life Dottie was a hard-working scholar. She was a graduate and member of the Hall of Fame at William Penn Sr. High School in York, PA; earned a B.A. at Bucknell University in Latin and French; an M.A. at Middlebury College in French; and a Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in Romance Languages. Over her career she taught in suburban Philadelphia; Gstaad, Switzerland; Paris, France; Munich, Germany; the College of William and Mary; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; West Virginia University and Auburn University from which she retired in 1993 as Professor of Foreign Languages, Emerita. Dottie (a.k.a. Dr. D) was the first female chair of an academic department at Auburn University and received many fellowships and awards in Europe and the USA.

Dottie lived an active, adventurous life outside of academe, and her love of music stayed with her throughout her life. She began playing the violin at age 5 and played in her school’s orchestra at 8. She was a founding member of, and a Concert Master for, the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra. More recently, she served on several boards of music organizations in Montgomery and actively supported young artists and visiting musicians. Dottie also enjoyed the outdoors, especially in Sun Valley, Idaho, where she had a part-time home. Most of all she loved downhill skiing, hiking, and scuba diving. She climbed Switzerland’s Matterhorn in 1968, completed 896 dives, and continued to enjoy skiing and scuba diving until she was 85.

It is impossible to express how well-loved, respected and appreciated Dottie was. She was kind, giving, and humble. That she always wanted the best for everyone showed in her generosity, words of encouragement and wisdom, and her commitment to friendship. Once she made a friend, she had that friend for life. In her later years she worked tirelessly to stay in touch with people she cared about. When she turned 92 in November of 2024, she received just under 100 birthday cards through the mail and countless birthday wishes online.

Dottie was predeceased by her parents, Nevada May Diehl and Joseph Fredrick DiOrio; her beloved and devoted Grandma, Lillie Diehl; her brother, Joseph Fredrick DiOrio, Jr.; and her sisters Rosine DiOrio Katz and Faye DiOrio Herrmann Major. She is survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends. There will be a private interment at Prospect Hill Cemetery in York, PA. At her request, there will be no formal memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dottie’s memory to the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra (PO Box 1864, Montgomery, AL 36102 or https://ci.ovationtix.com/36871/store/donations); to the Montgomery Chamber Music Organization (PO Box 6454 Montgomery, AL 36104 or https://montgomery-chamber-music.org/donations); or to the charity of your choice.