Dorothy T. Ellis, devout Christian

Dorothy T. Ellis, 94, of Lewes, passed away Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Ocean Grove Post Acute Nursing Facility. She was born in Philadelphia, Pa., to William and Dorothy P. Towner.

Dorothy graduated from Conrad High School in June 1949 and attended Beacom College after graduation. She later left school and began working as a bookkeeper at Sterling Auto facility, where she met our dad. She was married to William Bartosh at the age of 19, and together they had five children. William was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident at the age of 35 on Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4, 1961, Delaware's only fatality that weekend.

Dorothy later worked at Hopkins Moving Company and Wilmington Trust, where she eventually retired. In 1984, she met Joe, and they were married and enjoyed 38 wonderful years together until Joe’s passing in 2024.

She was a devoted member of Conley United Methodist Church, where she loved singing in the choir and participated in the live nativity for several years. Dorothy is survived by four of her children, JoAnn Duffy (Rick Palatucci), Janice Thompson, Don Bartosh (Marie) and William Bartosh (Kathy); her stepdaughter, Dori Kennedy (John); as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Two of her favorite Bible verses were John 3:16 and Isaiah 43:2. She loved the gospel song “The Lighthouse.” Dorothy deeply loved her children, and her prayer for them was always that they would love each other and love God.

She will be deeply missed and forever loved by all the lives she touched.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 27, at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes, where family and friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m.

Anyone unable to attend the services may view the livestream at: parsellfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/dorothy-ellis-21.

Visit Ms. Ellis’ Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.