Dorothy Marema Moehle passed from this life to eternal life on September 19, 2021, at the age of 96. Dorothy was born July 30, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois, to Alexander and Mildred Marema. She and her younger sister, Shirley, grew up in a close-knit extended family where they learned the importance of family, church, community, and strong faith.
As a young girl in Chicago, Dorothy enjoyed bicycling and ice skating and she developed a lifelong love of baseball, going with her father to Saturday afternoon Cubs’ games and accompanying her neighbor to the free Ladies’ Day Friday afternoon White Sox games. She attended Calumet High School where she met Bill Moehle in a typing class. They became part of the same close friend group, enjoying many activities together throughout high school. Upon graduating in 1943, Bill left for college, the Navy, and active duty in the Pacific, while Dottie attended Morgan Park Junior College, receiving an Associate’s degree in general studies. She worked for an orthodontist at Northwestern University and as office manager in his private practice. Bill returned to Chicago at the close of the war, and Dottie and Bill were married on October 24, 1947.
They welcomed their son Dale to the family in 1950 and stayed in Chicago until Bill was recalled to the Navy in 1952. Their daughter Debbie was born soon after their arrival at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida. When his tour of duty was completed in 1954, Bill joined the Reserves, and Dottie and Bill brought their family to Rockledge to become part of the growing space program. Although Dottie missed the big city life of Chicago and loved to return for visits, the Rockledge/Cocoa area became home. As she ensured her husband and children would thrive in this community, she also worked as secretary of Rockledge Presbyterian Church for about 10 years. Dottie and Bill loved traveling and exploring the world together, visiting over 30 countries. Just as important were the family vacations they planned with their children to many destinations throughout the U.S. and the later annual family vacations with children and grandchildren.
Dottie was deeply spiritual and put her faith into practice every day through her studies, relationships, and activities. She combined her love of family, friends, church, and community by volunteering and contributing throughout her life. At Rockledge Presbyterian Church she taught children’s music, children’s Sunday school, and Vacation Bible school; sang in the choir for over 50 years; taught a women’s Sunday school class and Bible study for many years; and served on the board of deacons, the session, and many other committees over the 65 years she and Bill were members there. Her faith community was an essential part of her life. She also volunteered for many of her children’s school activities, including being room mother, planning and working at Halloween carnivals, sewing costumes, chaperoning field trips, and working at the concession stand for ball games. She was an active member of the Wuesthoff Hospital Auxiliary for years and served many hours as a Brevard County Museum of Natural History docent and member of the museum guild. In these and other volunteer activities she was an energetic, enthusiastic participant, putting her impressive planning and organizational skills to good use.
Dottie was a devoted wife and mother, grandmother, and faithful friend to many. She was an excellent listener, always tolerant and accepting, practical, and gracious. She was a consummate homemaker and loved to entertain, offering wonderful fare and a delightful ambience for many teas, showers, dinner parties, cocktail parties, and holiday feasts for friends and family.
Dottie was preceded in death by her husband of 73 years Bill Moehle, son Dale Moehle, grandson Matthew Moehle, and son-in-law Richard McCallum. She is survived by her sister Shirley Mirowsky, daughter Debra McCallum, daughter-in-law Janet King Moehle Sheldon (Brooks), grandchildren Beth McCallum Byrnside (Michael) and Will McCallum (Caitlin), granddaughter-in-law Marguerite Moehle, and great grandchildren Madison and Miles Moehle and Mailey Kate Byrnside, as well as beloved nieces and nephews. She will be missed by these and her many friends.