Dorian Patricia Ladue

Dorian Ladue, daughter of H.J. Ladue and the late Marian N. Ladue, was a 1980 graduate of Hartsville High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina - Columbia and was a life-long and proud Gamecock! Dorian pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma fraternity while at USC and built life-long friendships with her Kappa sisters whom she loved dearly. After teaching school and living in Savannah, GA for five years, she earned her Master of Education degree from Winthrop University.

Dorian loved the beach, shagging, cooking, flowers and had an incredible sense of humor. She loved to laugh and had beautiful style. Most of all, she had an absolute love of children!

Dorian worked in a variety of settings over her career including both public and private schools. She created and implemented many individualized programs for special needs children throughout the Charlotte Community.

Known as Ms. Dorian by the kids she taught, she worked as a consultant to open special education programs and individual education programs for students in private schools and those being home schooled. She specialized in evaluation, preparing and implementing individual curriculum for students. In 2011, Dorian’s dream came to fruition. In partnership with Shelly Dean, OTD, OTR/L and owner of Crossway Pediatric Therapy, Dorian founded and opened Crossway Academy.

Crossway Academy was the first and only clinic-based day school in all of Charlotte. Crossway Academy started as an elementary school with 6 students. Dorian’s legacy has now provided an Academy for 19 combined elementary and middle school students. She created Crossway Academy to nurture and provide a safe school experience for children that need individualized attention academically, socially and emotionally. Dorian believed in community integration for the students and they participated in field trips to the Matthew’s library for the Sensory hour as well as learning how to check out books. Dorian and the students enjoyed many trips to the Matthew’s local restaurants and Squirrel Lake Park.

Dorian officially retired from teaching and from Crossway Academy in 2017. Her legacy lives on through the students and teachers at Crossway Academy.

Dorian was survived by her loving partner Susan Moertle of Matthews, NC and her two beloved children, Marc Fielding Settin Jr. of Boone, NC and Catherine Grace Settin of Charlotte. She was also survived by her sister Andrea L. McNairy, brother Garrett Ladue, and brother Collin N. Ladue and sister-in-law Susan S. Ladue, all of Charlotte, NC. She was survived also by her beloved nieces and nephews Meredith McNairy of Chapel Hill, NC, Meagan McNairy of Raleigh, NC, Collin Ladue Jr. of Columbia, SC and Louise Ladue of Charlotte, NC.

She also loved and was loved by her partner Susan Moertle’s entire family.

Thank you to everyone for the loving care, visits, calls, prayers, flowers, cards, food and help throughout her illness.

Special thanks for the loving care of the staff of Hospice of Charlotte.

The Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 11:00AM at Caldwell Presbyterian Church, 1609 E 5th St, Charlotte, NC. Refreshments will follow.

The family visitation will be Friday evening, October 5, 2018 from 6:00PM to 9:00PM at McEwen Pineville Chapel at 10500 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210.

In lieu of flowers, it’s Dorian’s wish for friends to bring Children’s books as she did for her last birthday to be distributed to children in need and children’s programs in Charlotte.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.