Dorothy Graten

Dorothy Lorraine "Dottie" (Fetterman) Graten, age 78, wife of the late John C. "Jack" Graten, of Phoenixville, East Pikeland Township, PA, passed away on Tuesday, October 23, 2007, in Phoenixville. ?Born in Phoenixville, she was the daughter of the late William E. and Mary Jane (Kelly) Fetterman.?Dottie was a 1946 graduate of Phoenixville High School. Following graduation, she worked as a secretary at B.F. Goodrich in Oaks, a position she held until the mid-1950s when she became a full-time homemaker and mother. She later worked for the local school district's Title I reading program, retiring in 1992 after 26 years of service. A lifelong resident of Phoenixville, she was a former member of St. Ann's parish, and a founding member of St. Basil the Great parish in Kimberton. She was an active member of the Phoenixville YMCA until she became ill in 2003.?On March 14, 1951, Dottie married Jack Graten, the love of her life. Throughout their 56-year marriage, Dottie enjoyed entertaining family and friends. She was a gracious hostess and excellent baker. Her hot milk sponge cake, lemon meringue pie, fresh fruit crumb pies, and snickerdoodles are legendary; the recipes have been oft-requested and appear in many self-published community cookbooks.?Dottie was a devoted wife, a loving mom, and the consummate "Nana" who dispensed equal measures of wisdom and discipline in her inimitable Irish style: well-intentioned and right to the point. She deeply loved and fiercely protected "all her kids" — a term of endearment that encompassed just about every younger person in her life —?from her daughters, sons-in-laws and grandchildren, to nieces, nephews, godchildren, friends' children,? and grand-dogs. She taught "her kids" life lessons using classic aphorisms and "Dottie-isms": "God helps those who help themselves." "The sooner you get done, the sooner you have fun."? "Love conquers all." "This, too, shall pass." ?Her sweet counsel, sunny disposition, fun-loving spontaneity, sense of style, and the twinkle in her eye when she laughed will be greatly missed. So, too, will the boost of confidence and "I love you, Babe" that punctuated every conversation. ?Dottie is survived by two daughters: Marcia G. "Marcie," wife of Dr. Jeffrey M. Novak of Austin, TX; and M. Laurette "Laurie," wife of Thomas J. Hesser, of Dallas, TX; four grandchildren: Christopher M. Novak; Patrick J. Novak; Thomas B. Novak; and Caitlin E. Novak; all of Austin, TX; four grand-dogs: Julie; Meghan; Samantha Jo; and Abigail Marie; a sister: Gloria F. Hatfield of Phoenixville; a brother: William Fetterman, and wife Doris, of Downingtown; two sisters-in-law: Maureen T., wife of Jerome Vitabile, of Lansdale, PA; and Ann E., wife of Harry Evans of Phoenixville; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, godchildren, and friends.?She was preceded in death by her beloved Jack 12 weeks ago, as well as their newborn daughter, Michele Lorraine Graten; and three sisters: Elizabeth A. Baxter; June E. Dobra; and Shirley F. White.?Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Mass at St. Ann Church, Main Street at Third Avenue, Phoenixville, on Tuesday, October 30, 2007, at 10 AM. Officiating will be the Rev. Monsignor James Fitzpatrick. Interment will be in St. Ann Cemetery. Friends may call at the Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Main Street at Fifth Avenue, Phoenixville, from 9:00-9:30 AM on Tuesday, October 30. ?At the family's request, please no flowers. Instead, contributions may be made in Dottie's memory to The Pennsylvania State University Paterno Libraries Endowment, 27 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802-1506, toll-free? 888-800-9163, https://secure.ddar.psu.edu/GiveTo (designate online gift as "Other" and specify "Paterno Libraries Endowment" under "additional info"), or, the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, 3925 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, www.philarmh.org/donations.php.?? Condolences may be made online at? www.CampbellEnnisKlotzbachFuneralHome.com.? ??

Dorothy Graten

March 10, 1929 - October 23, 2007