Dorothy Ullrich

Born on November 10, 1930, in Rosenberg, Texas, to Edwin and Adela Foster, Dorothy remained a proud Texan throughout her life. After graduating from Rosenberg High School, she pursued her passion for home sciences at Southwest Texas State University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Home Economics.

In 1953, Dorothy married the love of her life, Leon Ullrich. Their 72-year marriage was a beautiful testament to partnership; the two were rarely seen apart and were privileged to travel the world together. At home, Dorothy was the heart of the family's traditions. Her annual Christmas Eve dinner was legendary, featuring a beautifully decorated home, the famous Ullrich “Trash” snack, and a spirited scavenger hunt that became a cherished family hallmark.

A pillar of her community, Dorothy was a faithful member of Bellaire United Methodist Church for over 65 years. She was deeply involved in the Heritage Seekers Sunday School Class and the Ruth Circle, and she took immense pride in her service to the XYZ (Extra Years of Zest) program, providing monthly lunches for seniors. A gifted seamstress, Dorothy "put many a mile" on her sewing machine, painstakingly crafting everything from intricate Easter dresses and prom gowns to heirloom baby quilts.

Dorothy's greatest joy was her family. She was an unwavering source of strength for her three children: Lee Ullrich (Dawn), Cathy Doyle (Tim), and Laurie Lavoie (Steve), as well as her beloved exchange-student daughter, Vibeke Madsen (Poul) of Denmark.

Her devotion extended to her eight grandchildren—Megan, Ross, Chelsea, Tyler, Paige, Grethe, Corey, and Caroline—and nine great-grandchildren, all under the age of seven. Whether it was a scouting event, dance recital, or swim meet, Dorothy and Leon never missed a milestone. Her family will deeply miss her protective nature and the frequent phone calls she made just to ensure everyone had made it home safely.

Dorothy will be remembered for her love of puzzles, the Houston Astros, and the University of Houston. Most notably, she will be honored for her incredible resilience in caring for Leon as a Type 1 diabetic for nearly eight decades. Following Leon's passing on February 20, 2025, Dorothy rejoined him just one day shy of the one-year anniversary of his death.

She is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her sister-in-law Norma Foster, and a loving extended family of nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate Dorothy's life will be held at Bellaire United Methodist Church on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in her memory to Bellaire United Methodist Church or Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF).