Dorothy M. Rothery

Dorothy was born on March 24, 1928, the daughter of hard-working German immigrants, John and Mari Groebl. She was one of two children, and from an early age, she demonstrated the selflessness and quiet strength that would define her entire life.

Her younger brother, John, was born with cerebral palsy, and Dorothy, still a child herself, embraced the role of loving caregiver. That was Dorothy — always watching out for others, putting others first, and doing so without fanfare or complaint.

She grew up in South St. Louis and attended St. Francis de Sales grade school. She played the clarinet — a small detail, but one that hints at the joy and rhythm that were part of her spirit. She also played the piano, bringing music and warmth into the home with her gentle touch on the keys.

In the 1940s, her family moved further west to Smiley Avenue, and Dorothy enrolled at St. Elizabeth’s High School. They joined Epiphany of Our Lord parish and were well known to the parish and the neighborhood.

Not long after graduation, she met a neighbor — Edward Rothery — just two doors down. She had been asked by her mom to deliver eggs to the sick elderly man two doors down, and when she knocked on the door, it was Edward Rothery who answered. They fell in love, and in 1947, they married right here in this church.

Together, Dorothy and Ed raised six children: Thomas, David, Daniel, John, Geralyn, and Mary. Life brought its challenges, as it always does. Their firstborn, Thomas, was born with profound disabilities and required constant care — and Dorothy gave it without hesitation, just as she had done for her brother John.

As she raised her family, Dorothy put her many talents to work — among them, her remarkable gift as a seamstress. She lovingly made dresses and school uniforms for Geralyn and Mary, and when the boys tore their jeans or wore through their socks, she patched and darned without complaint, often mending for her brother John as well. She could make a sewing machine sing, turning fabric and thread into both necessity and art, always with care and precision.

In 1972, when Dorothy was only 44, she was widowed. Ed passed away suddenly after a brief battle with lung cancer. His funeral Mass was held right here. Left with six children and a broken heart, Dorothy made a courageous decision. She went back to school to become a nurse — not just to support her family financially, but to continue a life of service.

She worked for many years at SSM, tending to the needs of retired nuns. That seems fitting, doesn’t it? A woman of such deep Catholic faith, caring for women who had also devoted their lives to God. She finally retired in her 70s, after a long life of both work and devotion.

What truly defined Dorothy wasn’t her hardships — it was how she responded to them: with grace, humility, and unwavering faith. Her Catholic faith was her anchor. It was the source of her strength, her purpose, and her joy.

Later in life, at Our Lady of Life Apartments, Dorothy’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary deepened even further. She routinely led the residents in the daily recitation of the Rosary, a practice that brought comfort to many and demonstrated her gentle leadership. In her final days and hours, Dorothy held that same Rosary in her hands — a sign of her lifelong devotion to Our Lady and her trust in God’s mercy and love.

She never asked for much. She never complained. She worked hard, loved fiercely, and remained a humble servant of her Savior, Jesus Christ. She lived for her children — and she loved each of us with a quiet, steadfast love that shaped who we are today.

Dorothy also found joy in being “Grandma.” One of her greatest pleasures was organizing what became known in our family as “Grandma Days” — day-long adventures where she’d take the St. Louis grandchildren to parks and recreation centers all over Missouri and Illinois. These weren’t extravagant outings, but they were rich in memory, laughter, and love. She delighted in making those days special, and we’ll carry those moments with us forever.

Even in her later years, Dorothy remained independent and disciplined. One small ritual stands out: each evening, she was expected to place a small red magnetic apple on the doorframe of her apartment to signal to the staff that she was safely “tucked in” for the night.

How fitting, then, that today, that same red magnetic apple rests on her casket — a quiet but powerful symbol that Dorothy is now forever “tucked in” — not just for the night, but into the eternal presence of God in heaven.

Dorothy Rothery was, simply put, a great mom. A great woman. A good and faithful servant.

We will miss her warmth, her wisdom, her strength, and her quiet presence. But we give thanks — deep, abiding thanks — for the gift of her life. We rejoice in the hope that she is now reunited with Ed, with Thomas, and with the Lord she loved so much.

Well done, Mom. Well done, good and faithful servant.

SERVICES: Gathering of Family & Friends Wednesday, July 16, at 9am until time of Mass at 10am Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic Church 6596 Smiley Ave. (Corner of Ivanhoe St.) St. Louis, MO 63139.

Burial Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Please gather 12:30-12:45pm in Sylvan Springs Park at the intersection of Boundary Ln & Sheridan Rd. on Thursday, July 24, 2025. From there, we will process into the cemetery and be taken to the committal shelter by the cemetery escort.