Dorothea Fox celebrates her 100th birthday

Dorothea (Riley, Mahoney) Fox embraces each day with love and laughter, with a mind sharp as a pin. She is a sweet Christian lady. Her life is filled with many memories: growing up on a farm, shaking a leg at Saturday night dances, raising a family, enjoying the outdoors, camping, picnics, gatherings of loved ones, escaping off to her winter home in Florida, crafting, sight-seeing and visiting with friends.

Dorothea Fox

Dorothea’s life has been blessed with a loving family, her parents, Roy and Ellen Riley; husbands Martin Mahoney and Glen Fox; two sisters, Janet (Orris) Nelson and Arla (Woody) Veihl; a brother, Cyril (Rose) Riley; a son, Jack (Brenda) Mahoney; a stepdaughter, Darlene (Keith) Bushnell; two granddaughters, Kellie (Guy) Picard and Sheila (Mike) Arnold; three great-grandsons, Chad (Amy) Arnold, Nick (Stacy) Arnold and Peyton Picard; two great-granddaughters, Paige and Taylor Picard; four great-great-grandchildren, Jackson, Brayden, Connor and Emersyn; and many nieces and nephews.

Dorothea’s days are spent crocheting; she makes a table doily each year for her Riley Family Reunion. In July 2013 the family will celebrate its 107th year. On Thursdays she plays Pinochle with her friends. Every now and then she loves a day out shopping and enjoys a nice

meal at China Buffet. Most of all, she treasures company with family and friends, reminiscing of days gone by.

Memories of Dorothea’s life, well, let’s say we could write a book, after all celebrating 100 years, there is much to be shared. With a small history of her life expressed, her special day arrived March 9, as family and friends gathered at the Woodwinds Restaurant to honor and surprise Dorothea by celebrating her birthday. The tables were decorated with flowers with accessories in purple. Topping off the celebration, everyone enjoyed a piece of her birthday cake and sang “Happy Birthday.”

A letter from Willard Scott, congratulating her on a centenarian birthday, also was received. Along with the many blessings, she knows with the gift of years comes the treasures of knowing that there are many who love her dearly. Dorothea’s day was filled with sunshine and her heart filled with much happiness and memories never to be forgotten.