Dorothy (Dottie) Church Chandler of Jenner’s Pond

Posted by ChaddsFordLive on November 18, 2013

Dorothy (Dottie) Church Chandler, 89, of Jenner’s Pond, died Saturday, Nov. 16. She was the wife of Robert M. Chandler, with whom she shared 68 happy years of marriage. She was born in Melrose, Mass., the daughter of Harold Bowdoin Church and Hazel Rendall Church.

Dorothy was raised in Buffalo, N.Y., graduating high school in 1942, and from Miami University (Ohio) where she was president of Sigma Kappa sorority. She graduated in 1946, earning a bachelor of science degree in psychology. Upon Bob’s returning from the Army Signal Corps in 1945, they married and moved to Syracuse, N.Y. and then to Wilmington, where they lived for 56 years.

She was a former president of both the alumni association of the Delware chapter of Sigma Kappa, and Wilmington Pan Hellenic. She was an active member of the American Associations of University Women, and 47 year member of the Cathedral Church of St. John, serving on the Altar Guild and other volunteer positions. Due to her love of gardening, she was a member of both the Timberlane Garden Club and the Wilmington Garden Club and served as a volunteer for the Wilmington Garden Day, the Wilmington Flower Market, and Friendship House. She especially enjoyed traveling with husband Bob and spending time at their Bethany Beach, DE condominium with family and friends.

Survivors include her husband, two sons: Robert R. Chandler of Houston, Texas, Gary K. Chandler (Cindy) of Phoenix, Md.; daughter Barbara L. Hallett (Jay) of New London, and five grandchildren: Christopher, John, Christin, Carolyn and Danielle; and two great-grandchildren (Christin): Eden and Julian. She was predeceased in 1998 by her beloved sister, Marion Church Kendall.

A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held Dec. 7, at 10 a.m., at the Episcopal Church of the Advent, 401 N. Union St., Kennett Square, PA 19348. A reception will follow in the parish hall. Contributions in her memory should be made to the Church of the Advent 201 Crestline Drive Kennett Square, PA 19348. Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo and Grieco Funeral Home, Inc. of Kennett Square (610-444-4116). To share a memory with Dottie’s family, please visit www.griecocares.com.