Dorothy "Dot" Speece, entered eternal rest on Sunday, December 26, 2021, at Berks Heim Nursing Home, at the ripe young age of 97; However, if you asked her she was forever 21 and age was just a number. Born on March 5, 1924 in Reading, PA she was the only daughter to the late Samuel Vilardo and Minnie (Nigrelli) Vilardo.
At the age of 18, Dorothy met her "oh so handsome" husband Robert J. Speece Sr., on the balcony at the Rajah Theatre; they fell in love and married in 1947. Their union was blessed with 2 children and nearly 39 years of marriage before his passing, on January 23,1986.
For 9 years, Dorothy worked as a sewing machine operator at Turner's Knitting; although she was a devoted wife, full-time mother and homemaker first.
In her spare time, Dorothy liked attending Hot Rod shows with her sons, playing BINGO, card games and word search puzzles. Above all else, she truly treasured spending time with her family and hosting
Spaghetti Sunday’s, every single week. The love that Dorothy had for her family was unparalleled.
Every once in a while, life offers us the opportunity to know and love someone so unique, so special, that describing them in a few words is difficult at best. Dorothy will fondly be remembered for never being afraid to speak her mind, her spitfire personality and the endless amounts of love she passed on to her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. She will forever live in the hearts of those blessed enough to have known her!
Dorothy's spirit will be carried on by her son Dennis Speece and his wife Gerry, of Reading; her brother Frank Vilardo and his wife Mary, of Flying Hills; 6 grandchildren Denise, Lynn, Stacey, Dennis Jr., Robert III, and Tara. Dorothy also leaves behind 8 great grandchildren Amber, Alec, Jenna, Peyton, Hunter, Gage, Anthony, McKenna and 2 great great granddaughters Dayla and April to cherish her memory.
In addition to her parents, Dorothy was greeted in heaven by her beloved husband Robert J. Speece Sr., her son Robert J. Speece Jr. and her 2 brothers Harry and Michael Vilardo.
A viewing for Dorothy will be held Wednesday, January 5, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Theo C. Auman Inc., 247 Penn St., Reading, PA 19601. Prayer services will promptly commence in the funeral home at 1:00 PM, with Deacon Christopher May officiating. Graveside committal will immediately follow at Gethsemane Cemetery, 3139 Kutztown Rd., Reading, PA 19605.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.TheoCAuman.com for the Speece family.
