Dorothy M. Darr passed away at Kingston of Perrysburg on Easter Sunday, April 11, 2023, at the age of 100. She ascended into heaven, hand in hand, with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Dorothy was born in Broomfield, Colorado, on October 17, 1922, to the union of Grayson H. Barnett and Gertrude D. (Dawkins) Barnett. After the births of her two brothers, the young family moved to Platte County, Missouri, where she attended a one room schoolhouse. In order to attend high school in North Kansas City, Missouri, she performed housekeeping duties for a family in exchange for room and board. After her graduation in 1940, she attended Kansas City College of Commerce.
Following the completion of her coursework at KCCC, she became an executive secretary at Trans World Airlines during the Howard Hughes era.
She married Winfield A. Darr Jr. on May 4, 1946, in Kansas City, Missouri. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Dubuque, Iowa. After the birth of their first son, James, the family moved to Overland Park, Kansas, where their second son, Gregory, was born. In 1960, the family pulled up stakes and moved to Perrysburg. In 1967, they welcomed Marianne into the family.
Dorothy embodied the spirit of Christianity by always putting the needs of
others ahead of her own. She established herself as a quiet presence serving as a Cub Scout den mother, volunteer cafeteria worker at St. Rose School, president and hostess for the Welcome Wagon Club of Perrysburg, secretary at the former Nollenberger Ford in Stony Ridge, secretary in the sociology department at Bowling Green State University and secretary at the First United Methodist Church, Perrysburg. But nothing was more important to her than her family. She found great joy in preparing extravagant meals for them, especially during the holidays.
After she retired from her working life, she became a volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital, Maumee, where she plied the halls for 25 years helping to make patients stays more comfortable. She also was a longtime volunteer tour guide at the Wolcott House Museum, Maumee.
She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Perrysburg.
Dorothy was pre-deceased by her parents; brothers; Richard S. and William D. Barnett; husband, and special friend, Robert Zulauf.
Dorothy’s memory will forever be cherished by her sons, James Darr and Gregory Darr; daughter, Mari Darr-Welch; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren, and extraordinary friends and neighbors, Bill and Kathy Radcliff.
Walker Funeral Home, Perrysburg, has been entrusted with Dorothy’s final care. There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held at a future date.
The family would like to thank all of Dorothy’s caregivers at Kingston Residence, Kingston Rehab, and Mercy Hospital all in Perrysburg.
Dorothy would appreciate your memorial contribution to her beloved First Presbyterian Church, 200 East Second Street, Perrysburg, Ohio 43551.