Obituary of Dorothy H. Thorpe

Dorothy Helen "Dot" Thorpe, 98, died Thursday, Jan. 26, at Van Rensselaer Manor Nursing Home in Troy, where she had been a resident for the past two years. She was born March 7, 1918, to the late Lyman Cordell and Mary (Delaney) Cordell, and was raised in Colonie before moving to Albany. Dorothy was an employee of General Electric and Montgomery Ward before becoming a mother. Together, she and her husband, John Francis "Jack" Thorpe, raised four boys. Dorothy and Jack were married for more than 70 years before his death in 2012, also at age 98. The couple resided nearly all of their married life in North Albany and were also longtime summer residents of Burden Lake in Nassau, Rensselaer County. Dorothy cherished her time spent at the lake and through the years Dot and Jack's camp was the sight of countless summer gatherings, many of which stretched into the wee morning hours. These were Dorothy's favorite parties, as she was at her happiest when she could sit, talk and laugh among family and friends. She also enjoyed attending events at the American Legion North Albany Post 1610 and looked forward most each year to the post's St. Patrick's Day celebration and the North Albany St. Patrick's Day parade. She loved attending her grandchildren's functions and thoroughly enjoyed playing BINGO. Dorothy was a longtime parishioner of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in North Albany. Dorothy was predeceased by her husband John; son, Thomas; brother, Edward and sister, Rose. Survivors include her sons, John (Gail), Robert (Susan) and Richard (Lynn); four grandchildren, Suzanne, John L., William and Evan; and three great-grandchildren, Shea, Holly and William. She is also survived by her cherished nieces and nephews, especially Rosemary "Babe" Scully who would bring a burger and fries for Aunt Dot to enjoy each week. Funeral from the W.J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Ave. Rensselaer on Tuesday at 8:30am and Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 33 Walter St., Albany at 9:30am where the Funeral Mass will be offered. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Lyons funeral home on Monday from 4:00 to 7:00pm. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. Services have been entrusted to Thomas P. Mooney and Online condolences may be offered at Mooneyfuneralhome.com