Mary Dorschel

Mary J. Dorschel, 94, formerly of Mattydale, entered eternal rest with Our Lord Jesus Christ on Feb. 7, 2015. A lifelong resident of the Syracuse area, she was half-Irish and proud to have been born on St. Patrick’s Day in 1920, a daughter of the late John R. and Violet (Huff) Howell. Mary was predeceased by her loving husband of 64 years, Edward J. Dorschel, in 2005.

Mary was a 1938 graduate of Central High School, a communicant of St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Mattydale for over 60 years, and a member of their Altar Rosary Society, and the school’s Confraternity of Christian Mothers. She worked at Dollie Madison Ice Cream where she met her beloved husband, Edward, in 1938. Then Mary was a legal secretary in the 1940's and later a teacher's assistant at Bessie Riordan School. Mary enjoyed square-dancing, bowling, bingo, playing cards, music, baseball (including the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry, which became a family tradition), and the antique player-piano which was the focal point of many musical family gatherings for decades at the house built by her husband in Mattydale in 1952. She supported many organizations, including Girl Scouts and Mattydale Little League. Blessed with practicality and a good sense of humor, she shared many stories with her family and made a habit of writing down all the humorous things her grandchildren said when they were little.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by all her siblings: Violet Jordan, Rich Howell, Dorothy Wojdyla, and Beverly Hardy, and by her granddaughter, Laurie Dorschel.

Family members surviving to cherish her life include her loving children: Beverly (Bill) Broad of N. Syracuse, Gary (Maureen) Dorschel of Orlando, Marty (Lois) Dorschel of N. Syracuse, Mary Lyle of N. Syracuse, and Christine (Rick) Ferris of Sarasota; 16 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Her family, including 35 descendants, were the greatest pleasure of her life.

Contributions in Mary's memory may be made to St. Margaret's Church, 203 Roxboro Road, Mattydale, NY 13211.

Family and friends are welcome to attend calling hours at Krueger Funeral Home in Mattydale on Thursday from 4 to 7 pm. A Prayer Service will begin on Friday, 9:30 am at the funeral home followed by a 10 am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Margaret’s Church. Burial will be in Assumption Cemetery.