A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Dorothy C. Thoma, 96, of Newark, will be held at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 11:00 AM, Tuesday, November 9, 2021, with Fr. David Sizemore as celebrant.  Inurnment will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.  Friends and family may call at the church for one hour prior to the funeral Mass on Tuesday.

Dorothy, a lifelong parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, died at her home on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.  She was born at the Newark Hospital on Everett Avenue, January 16, 1925, to the late Ernest and Gertrude (Hofacker) Thoma.  She was the first grandchild of Joseph and Mary Hofacker.

A 1942 graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School, Dorothy received a 4-year scholarship to St. Mary's College where she earned a Bachelor of Science Major in Biology and Minor in Bacteriology.  She then went to St. Thomas Hospital, Akron, to become registered as a Medical Technologist.  She accepted a position at St. Rita's Hospital, Lima, and obtained her registry after a year before accepting a position at Newark Hospital Laboratory under Dr. Louis Mitchell.  Following 10 years with Newark, she obtained a position with the hospital laboratory at Lockbourne Air Force Base, currently Rickenbacker.  Dorothy retired at the close of Rickenbacker, following a long career that was often classified as "hallmark".

As a teenager, Dorothy always was eager to find employment and worked at the Huffman Wolfe Company, Kaiser Aluminum, Newark Stove Company, and W. J. Camlin Company.  She could also be found skating on Wyoming St. with her great friend, Adelaide Chilcote Prior.

She was a former member of St. Francis Church Parish Council, Women of St. Francis, Fruit of the Vine Prayer Group, NARFE, and Wright Patterson Officer's Club.  She enjoyed playing BINGO at Newark Catholic and Newark Eagles, as well as euchre.  Dorothy also organized many of her high school class reunions, including their 50 ^th Reunion Celebration.

She will be greatly missed by her nephews, Jay P. (Nancee) Smith and Robert E. Smith; nieces, Sue Ann Smith, Mary Jane Smith; great-nieces and great-nephews, Jessica Hewitt, Amy Smith, Tiffany (Brian) Towns; and great-great-nephews, Dru Ashton Henry, Blair Austin Henry, Spencer Henry Hewitt, Payne Patrick Hogg; great-great-nieces, Blake Lynn Towns and Reese Michele Towns; dear friends, Kathleen Shamell, Bob Burleson, Susie Hannah, Lucy Lopez, Mary and Anthony Piemonte, and Col. Hal Etter.

She enjoyed Robert who took her grocery shopping, Sue who kept her fashionable, Mary who was the caregiver, the many visits from Jessica and always enjoyed the time spent with Jessica's boys. She also enjoyed Jay, Amy and Tiffany's company when they came to visit.  Lastly, it is no secret that one of Dorothy's favorite pastimes was talking on the telephone.

In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her sister, Alma Louise (James E.) Smith Jr.; dear friends, Irene Bennington and Ralph Leslie; and her longtime friend since second grade at St. Francis School, Mary Ventura.

The family would like to thank her Hospice Care Team, Dr. Maurer, Nurse Practitioner and long-time care provider, Dr. Angela Eubanks for their years of dedicated care.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Central Ohio, 2269 Cherry Valley Rd., Newark, OH 43055; or a Mass intention may be offered at St. Francis de Sales Church, 45 Granville St., Newark, OH 43055.

REED-EGAN FUNERAL HOME, 141 Green Wave Drive, Newark, is assisting the family with arrangements.  To share your memory of Dorothy or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.reedegan.com