After a long and valiant battle with cancer, Dorothy Helen Voorhis, of Williamsburg, died Dec. 29, 2013, at the age of 81.
She was born April 8, 1932, in Brooklyn, N.Y., one of three children of Arthur and Charlotte Downey.
She attended Cornell University’s School of Home Economics graduating with a major in child development and family relationships in 1953. There she met her husband of 60 years, Russell C. Voorhis.
She started her teaching career as a home economics teacher, later becoming interested in the problem of dyslexia. She returned to school and earned a master’s degree from NYU in reading disabilities. She then established her own practice, teaching numerous children with dyslexia to read. Her teaching skills allowed scores of dyslexic students to overcome their disability and advance to higher education.
Mrs. Vorrhis was passionate about expanding her knowledge in many directions. She was always found with a book open, was a regular at adult learning courses and traveled to many new places. She enjoyed her musical talents playing the piano and singing in local and church choirs wherever she resided. A spirited game of tennis doubles was also high priority for fun.
She was a generous person who enjoyed helping others and was active throughout her life in the community and in many organizations. Upon moving to Williamsburg, she recognized the need for a newcomers’ club in her new community and set about forming one, helping many new residents feel welcome. She was also active in the Williamsburg United Methodist Church, including the Clarke Heritage Circle and the choir.
As she raised her three daughters, she taught them many of her acquired skills, passing some of them on to her grandchildren as well. She was a dear wife to and is survived by her husband, Russell C. Voorhis; daughters, Susan Balloch and husband, Hugh Balloch, of Darien, Conn., Alison Voorhis, of Hopkinton, Mass. and Nancy Voorhis and husband, Ted Vansant, of Holderness, N.H.; grandchildren, Jonathan, Katie and Rob Balloch, Matthew, Lisa, Will and Emma Relle and Amanda Vansant; sister, Ruth Crone, of Colorado; and brother, Arthur Downey, of Colorado.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, at Williamsburg United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mrs. Voorhis to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.
Please leave online condolences for the family at Nelsen Funeral Home.
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