Dorothy Garvey Suleski

Dorothy Garvey Suleski passed away peacefully at home in Williamsburg, following an extended illness, surrounded by her family and caregivers. She was 91 years old. She was born in Irvington, NJ and attended elementary and high school there. She and her sisters sang together during WWII. She was able to recall all her elementary and high school friends even at 91 years of age. She was an avid reader, had a wonderful command of the English language, and loved history. She met and married our Dad, Walter T. Garvey, at the Petrean Club in Belleville, NJ. She would tell us about how Dad would wait downstairs at her place of work, Mutual Benefit, Newark, NJ, where she worked as a medical secretary, until she was finished with work each day. They were a loving couple and raised their 9 children in Parsippany, NJ. She and our Dad loved vacationing at the Jersey shore and passed this love on to their children. Mom held many part-time positions, in addition to raising her children. She worked at the Parsippany Board of Education, worked as a salesclerk in a clothing store and prior to retiring, worked as a proofreader of Catholic Bulletins for Bon Venture Services, LLC. Mom and Dad retired to Williamsburg, Virginia, an area they fell in love with after a family vacation. They built their warm, inviting home there that welcomed family and friends. Following Dad’s passing, Mom continued to embrace life, becoming an interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg, a greeter at St. Bede’s Catholic Church, a member of the SALT organization, and the Williamsburg Hospice House walking group. She also took up ballroom dancing in her 80’s. She met Robert F. Suleski at the SALT organization and they married in 2007. They enjoyed traveling and visiting with family and friends. Mom always enjoyed hosting family and friends with her generosity and kindness ever present. She passes this gift of love along to her children, their families, and her dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward L. and Irene Wilde; her husband of 48 years, Walter T. Garvey; her son, Douglas E. Garvey; brother, Robert Wilde, and sisters Eleanor Taylor, and Dolores Reuther. Also, she was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Gary E. Ryerson, and husband Robert F. Suleski. She is survived by her 8 children and their spouses; daughters, Patricia A. Kiernan (Timothy), Kathleen A. Kennedy (Patrick), Joan E. Ryerson; and sons James M. Garvey (Barbara), Robert T. Garvey (Mary), Thomas W. Garvey (Julia), Walter E. Garvey (Jane), and Edward J. Garvey (Nancy). She is survived by 26 grandchildren and their spouses; Timothy Kiernan, Douglas Garvey (Corrine), Amy Greene (Jon), Andres Garvey, RJ Risteen Garvey; Erin Carrabba (Christopher), Meghan Burgin (Thomas), Katherine Vazquez (Oscar), Lauren Stark (Samuel), James Kennedy; Jennifer Mashini (Ashkan), Kristin Adams (Christopher); Elizabeth Garvey, Heather Garvey, Robert Garvey; Brianne Garvey, Kristin Garvey, Maureen Garvey, and Patrick Garvey; Matthew Garvey, Erin Garvey, and Thomas Garvey; Shannon Garvey and Kara Garvey. She is survived by 10 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her stepson and step grandchildren. She always said she had a lot of love to give, and that she did! Her legacy of faith and love lives on in her family and dear friends. Please remember her by making donations to Hospice Support Care, 4445 Powhatan Parkway, Williamsburg, VA 23188 or St. Bede’s Catholic Church, 3686 Ironbound Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188, and by looking after those in need especially the elderly and children. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, July 2, 2021 at St. Bede Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Williamsburg Memorial Park.