December 2, 1929 – February 16, 2026

Dorothy Dyer, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother, lived a life rooted in faith, kindness, generosity and gratitude. Right up until the end, when asked how she was doing, her response remained unwavering: “I am truly blessed.”  Faith and family were Dorothy’s 

Early Life and Family Roots

Dorothy was born and raised in Old Forge, Pennsylvania, to Nellie (Chelland) Scaccia and Anthony “Scotch” Scaccia. Alongside older sisters Margaret (Wimpy), Mae, and younger brother Joe, she grew up in a lively home where her father operated a  barber shop and neighborhood beer garden—complete with a sawdust shuffleboard—though Dorothy herself never cared for beer.

She cherished time spent with her Lithuanian grandmother, Vava, who helped shape Dorothy’s gentle spirit and caring nature. As a young girl, Dorothy enjoyed dancing, ice skating, sports, and caring for animals, especially cats. Her lifelong love of cats was passed down to her three daughters, each household rarely having fewer than two feline companions, and usually more, lots more.

Naturally outgoing, gregarious, and  warm, Dorothy never met a stranger. She was always interested in learning as much about individuals as possible, remembering birthdays and sending handwritten cards, she had beautiful handwriting.

Marriage, Motherhood, and Devotion to Family

After graduating from Scranton Lackawanna Business School and working at the Trane Company that produced convector radiators in Scranton, Dorothy briefly considered joining the U.S. Navy. That decision led her to meet a handsome Navy Officer recruiter Marvin Edward Dyer of Eastman and Thomaston, Georgia. Although she got cold feet and did not enlist, the connection proved life-changing. The couple married at the chapel on the naval base in Scranton and shared 66 loving years together until Marvin’s passing February 13, 2019.

Their first daughter, Barbara (Barbie), was born in Pennsylvania. New military orders relocated the family to Newport, Rhode Island where daughters Cathleen (Cathy) and Joanne (Doober) were born. Upon Marvin’s retirement from the Navy, the family settled in Georgia, where Dorothy embraced Southern life — even mastering the art of perfectly cooked grits.

Residing in Forest Park, Georgia for many years, Dorothy devoted herself fully to raising her daughters, ensuring they were surrounded by faith, education, and opportunity. A devout Catholic, she faithfully supported St. John the Evangelist Catholic School and Church  and drove her daughters to school there every day of their 1st through 8th grades. She often assisted the Sisters of Mercy transporting them for shopping and events and serving as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader. She encouraged her daughters’ interests in extracurricular activities, leading to Joanne becoming a proficient pianist and Babara learning to play the guitar, while Cathleen opted for ballet lessons. 

Work, Friendships, and Life Experiences

After working for a time in accounting at the W.T. Grant store, where she was valued for her precision and kindness, Dorothy became  one of the very first friendly voices answering calls at the JCPenney Catalog Center when it opened in 1969 in Forest Park, earning recognition for her efficiency and pleasant manner. As a perk the company provided  a “WATS line” for  employees and family members  to place  free long-distance calls which allowed her and the children to stay connected with relatives in Pennsylvania. She dedicated 22 years to JCP, where she served in several roles with increasing responsibility before retiring.

As the Atlanta Airport grew and the roar of engines overhead shook the house,  the family relocated to Jonesboro, where they became longtime members of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church. 

Dorothy never missed a play, recital, football game or event in which her daughters participated and later attended every soccer game, play, recital, karate demo, and musical in which her only grandchild Michael participated. She organized yearly family vacations to Clearwater, Sanibel Island or St. Augustine, creating treasured memories.  In her spare time, she fed  wild geese at Fort Gillem where the geese  seemed to recognize her car as she entered the gate.

Through church, work, and friendships, Dorothy built a rich and social life. She traveled domestically and internationally thanks to daughter Barbara’s airline career, visiting places including Alaska, Hawaii, California, Italy, and the Holy Land. Special memories included trips with her grandson Michael to see the Rockettes in New York and ice skate at Rockefeller Center, and historic Philadelphia. While living in Jonesboro she enjoyed regular visits with Michael  between his classes at Clayton State University. She was deeply proud of him, loved him immensely and cherished their times together.

One of her favorite pastimes was visiting the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, either on her own or with her daughters.  She loved theater and music, especially Phantom of the Opera, Cats, the Nutcracker Ballet, and the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Liberace, and Tom Jones. She even convinced her grandson to participate in the Nutcracker family party scene in a local rendition. Dorothy  especially loved listening to Joanne play the piano with one of her favorite songs being ‘Mary Did You Know?’  

Later Years, Faith, and Legacy

Dorothy lived independently for many years in Newborn, Georgia, remaining active in St. Augustine Catholic Church before later moving to assisted living in Covington, where she participated in many activities including joy rides around town, bingo, crossword puzzles completed confidently in ink. She shared her love of the night sky with other residents—she knew the name and meaning of all the moon phases and planned many nighttime viewings.

She was lovingly cared for in the homes of daughters Joanne and husband Neil in Social Circle, Georgia and Barbara in Sharpsburg, Georgia before entering memory care in Fayetteville in early 2025. There, she enjoyed daily visits and long chats with Barbara, who treated her to weekly manicures and often brought her favorite foods—pasta, pizza, and granola.

In late 2025 she was so happy and grateful to be visited several times by grandson Michael, granddaughter in law Siana, and great grandchildren Aaliyah Rain Ratti and Romeo Marvin Ratti, dual citizens of the USA and Australia residing in Australia.

Her deep faith sustained her throughout life. Devoutly Catholic as well as metaphysical, Dorothy found comfort in praying the rosary and honoring the Blessed Mother, continually asking blessings for her family and everyone she encountered. It is believed that upon her passing, she was joyfully reunited with her husband, parents, sisters, friends, and the many animals she lovingly cared for.

Immediate family left behind to cherish her memory:  Daughters Barbara Dyer Bailey (Edward) , Joanne Dyer Derrick (Neil), Cathy Dyer Ratti (Peter), Michael Ratti (Siana), great  grandchildren Aaliyah and Romeo Ratti, brother Joseph Scaccia (Gerry) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services:  A funeral Mass was held February 19, 2026, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, celebrated by Father Valery Akoh. Interment followed on February 24, 2026, at Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Milledgeville, Georgia, where her ashes, placed in a cat-adorned urn, were laid to rest beside her husband.

Messages of condolence may be left at www.GeorgiaCremation.com. The Dyer family is being assisted by Georgia Cremation, 1086 Hwy 54 West, Fayetteville.