Biography

Mary Dorothy “Dee” Hartley died peacefully surrounded by her loving family in her Dover home on August 16, 2010.

Born in 1932 in Hagerstown, MD, to Agnes and George Danforth, Dee was the oldest of 3 children. She grew up in Philadelphia among many loving cousins, aunts and uncles. She attended Raven Hill Academy and taught school at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf as a youth. She moved to Delaware in 1964 with her husband Robert W. and 5 children. She worked for Kent County CETA program and later the State of Delaware Division of Labor. She earned her MBA from Wilmington College while working and raising her children.

She was a member of the Dover Century club for 40 years serving in many positions including President. She also served as an officer with the Delaware Federation of Women’s Clubs. She was passionate about helping others and politics. She was active in the Democratic Party and served as a committee member in the 32nd district. Her contributions to the State of Delaware were recognized in 2008 when the Governor proclaimed the day “Dee Day” in Delaware. Dee loved to travel the world visiting 6 of the 7 continents with her husband and family.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Hartley January 23, 2010.

Dee is survived by her loving children Robert E. Hartley of Woodside, Mary H. Stenson and her husband Tom of Hingham, MA, Thomas J. Hartley and his wife Marci Drees of Dover, Liz Dunn and her husband Bo of Dover, Ann Baker and her husband Ken of Bethany, her grandchildren - Chris Dunn and his wife Jennifer, Holly Nicholson and her husband Mark, Kaitlin and Christopher Stenson, Brittany and Cassidy Baker, T.J., Cameron, Katheryn and Wilson Hartley; one great grandchild, Emma Nicholson and her sister, Tink Benjamin of Albuquerque as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10AM Friday, August 20, 2010 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 631 S. State Street, Dover, DE. Friends may call from 6-9 Thursday evening at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road, (Rt.10), Dover. Interment will be at Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.

Contributions in Dee’s memory can be made to Dover Century Club, The Green Dover, DE 19901 or Holy Cross Catholic Church, 631 S. State Street, Dover, DE 19901.

Viewing

Thursday August 19, 2010, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
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Mass of Christian Burial

Friday August 20, 2010, 10:00 AM at Holy Cross Catholic Church
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Interment

Friday August 20, 2010 at Sharon Hills Memorial Park
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