Dorothy T. Carl
October 1, 1918 – July 15, 2021
Born on October 1, 1918, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska to Thomas Joseph Fitzgerald and Rose McDermott Fitzgerald, Dorothy Theresa Fitzgerald Carl died 102 years later in Johnston, Iowa.
Preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Robert Fallon Carl; son, Thomas Joseph (TJ); grandson, Matthew Brian Tritsch; brother, John Fitzgerald and his wife, Florence Kelly Fitzgerald
Survived by her daughter, Patricia Anne (Megan Ardyche); sons, Lawrence Fallon Carl (Jan); John Kenneth Carl (Danute Motiejaitas); Paul Anthony Carl (Dawn); five grandchildren: Jarod Vincent (Angela), Jennifer Lynne (Trey Webster), Amy Nicole (Anthony Smith), Benjamin Fallon and Isaac Mackenzie; six great-grandchildren Wesley Scott, Elizabeth Ann, Dillon James, Aubrey Lynne, and Sawyer and Maisy Tritsch; numerous nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.
Dorothy attended Sacred Heart High School in Omaha where she excelled in math, which came in handy when she completed monthly family finances and yearly federal taxes throughout her life. Had she been born a few decades later, Dorothy would have made an outstanding CFO.
A long-time parishioner of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in the small enclave of Florence in North Omaha, Dorothy participated in many church-related activities and fundraisers. Along with Fallon, she shepherded many teenagers through the Catholic Youth Organization and was appalled when they joined Chubby Checker in “Twisting the Night Away.”
But Dorothy’s great passion was card-parties at which pinochle brought the church ladies together in competitive groups. Later in life, Dorothy embraced cribbage and other card games during which she fought strategic card-battles with her children and grandchildren. Always an eagle-eye, cheating wasn’t allowed when Dorothy sat at the table.
Special thanks to Jan Carl for her hours of patient, loving care of Dorothy and to the kind folks at McAuley Terrace, Martina Place, and Bishop Drumm Care Center, all in Johnston, Iowa. And the wonderful Mercy Hospice Staff.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Thursday, July 22nd, 10am at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church (8200 N. 30th Street). Interment: Calvary Cemetery. Flowers are gratefully declined. No doubt Dorothy would smile if she knew you had sent even the smallest donation to St. Philip Neri.
Téigh le Dia, Dorothy. Go with God. Éire go Brách. Ireland for all time.
7 Comments
Sorry for your loss!
Thanks for thinking of our family.
My sincere condolences to the family. What an amazing life! As a prior fellow resident of Florence, I remember her well. May she rest in peace.
Thanks for thinking of our family.
Dorothy was always warm and welcoming when I visited the family with Pat. She was a powerful woman who was caught in a time that couldn’t accommodate the skills and talents she had to offer. She and Fallon came to visit us in Canada several times. Before they flew up the first time, she went online – yes, in her 70s, she learned how to use the internet – and downloaded a map to the Denver airport so they would know where to go! Like many women of her era, she was frustrated by the restrictions placed on her by virtue of her gender, but she did the best she could with what she was given. She was strong and intelligent, and absolutely loved playing cribbage!
Megan, thanks for this beautiful tribute to Dorothy.
I want to say how sorry it was to hear of Dorothy’s passing. It was so nice to be able to help celebrate her 100th birthday.
She sure was an amazing aunt..
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