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Dorothy Townsend Robertson, lifelong educator

October 23, 2017

Dorothy Townsend Robertson passed away peacefully Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, at home surrounded by her loving family. Dorothy was born in Millsboro, Oct. 1, 1924. She was the daughter of the late Eben Alden Townsend Jr. and Rebekah Faucett Townsend.

Dorothy graduated from Georgetown High School in June 1942. She graduated from Juniata College, Huntingdon, Pa., in June 1945. She received her master's degree from Columbia University in New York in 1950. Dorothy received her plus -30 from University of Delaware and Salisbury State College.

Dorothy started her teaching career in 1945, teaching first grade at the Mount Pleasant School, near Wilmington. After three years she relocated to Oak Ridge, Tenn., to continue her teaching career. After receiving her master's degree in 1950, Dorothy taught in the Teacher Training School at Eastern Illinois College, Charleston, Ill., for one year. Then she taught in the training school at Shippensburg State Teachers College, Shippensburg, Pa. At both of these colleges she as an associate professor. In 1952-53, Dorothy was the primary supervisor for Bristol Township Schools near Levittown, Pa., where she supervised 13 different schools.

Dorothy was the mother of Jan Robertson Donaway (Joe), Barbara Jo Boese (Jim), Craig Townsend Robertson (Angela) and Tracey Robertson Tapman (Jeff). She was the grandmother of Leigh Alexandra Nichol Raymer (Tyler), Zachary Matthew Donaway, Lucas Alden Donaway, Rebekah Sara Tapman, William Chaisson (Kristine) and Stephanie Chaisson. She was the great-grandmother of Rory James Raymer.

Dorothy retired from teaching school in July of 1985. She was absolutely devoted to furthering education for over 33 years, 27 of those years were in Delaware.

Dorothy was a lifetime member of NEA and DSEA. She also was a lifetime member of the Georgetown Historical Society and Wesley United Methodist Church in Georgetown. She was a supporter of the Georgetown Public Library.

Dorothy enjoyed walking, swimming, gardening and walking her trustworthy dog, Luther. She enjoyed traveling after retiring.

Dorothy was predeceased by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eben Alden Townsend Jr.; and her brother Eben Alden Townsend III who was killed In Germany serving his country in World War II.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, Oct. 26, at noon, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 10 East Laurel St., Georgetown, DE 19947, where friends may visit beginning at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow services at Union Cemetery in Georgetown.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that contributions be made to the Georgetown Public Library at 123 W Pine St, Georgetown, DE 1994;, The Georgetown Volunteer Fire Company, 100 S Bedford St, Georgetown, DE 19947; or to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Dodd-Carey Chapel, Georgetown.

Please visit Dorothy's Life Memorial Webpage and sign her online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.

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