Dorothy Marie Tiver, a proud resident of Woodbury and Woodbury Heights for most of her life, passed away peacefully the morning of Tuesday, June 11 at her home in Swedesboro surrounded by love. She was 94-years-old.
Dotty was born in Haddonfield on June 25, 1924 to James and Mary (Cassario) Whittle and grew up with her younger sisters, Margaret and Lotta, on Maple Street in Woodbury. She had fond memories of her time at Woodbury High School among them, being the art editor of her school yearbook. In pursuing a secretarial track toward a career, Dotty took the train into Camden every day; as fate would have it, the handsome train conductor from Moorestown would become her husband. Dotty married William Joseph Tiver at St. Patrick’s Church in 1946. In the following years, the couple raised their own daughters, Christina and Patricia, in Woodbury and Woodbury Heights.
Dotty will be remembered by those who had the opportunity to know her as a very strong, brave, independent woman with a bright, beautiful spirit and a perpetual smile. All who knew her were recipients of her cheerful, upbeat ways. She went through life with unparalleled elegance and grace, but she was also down to earth. She had an extraordinary personality and unique ability to authentically connect with people. A dynamic real estate agent for more than 30 years at Harvest Realty on Delaware Street in Woodbury (where an award in her name is given annually to the agent with the most listings), she retired at 81-years-old. Always active in the community, Dotty’s roles included president of the parent-teacher organization and planning board member. She enjoyed playing golf. She was a social member of the Woodbury Country Club, and a member of both the Westwood and Pitman Ladies Golf Leagues, receiving an honorary lifetime membership at Pitman Golf Course. She experienced memorable travels in her lifetime, including many winters in Florida and some extended stays in Hawaii. Sge loved singing; she was a member of the choir at St. Patrick’s Church, where she also sang for weddings, and continued sharing her beautiful soprano voice up until her last months. She will be remembered for her positive, outgoing, generous and loving nature; cooking lovely meals and being a fabulous hostess; baking delicious desserts (that she would give away); loving animals and nature and having an innate sense of fashion and style.
Dotty enjoyed her last years in the comfort of her private boudoir, with Allegra, Ray, and Ruffalo the cat as housemates, and, as her dementia progressed, a top-notch team of caregivers, companions and medical professionals by her side. Dotty had a life well-lived, will be deeply missed by family and friends here and around the world and will forever live on in their hearts.
Dotty was a devoted mother to Christina Marie (Richard) Hay of Ashland, Maine and LaBelle, Florida, and Patricia Ann (Darvin) King of Hudson, Ohio. She was a cherished Nana to Mary Allegra Tiver (Raymond Bebak) of Swedesboro; Brian (Annie) King of North Olmstead, Ohio; Melissa King of Lakewood, Ohio and Thomas King of Chicago. She was the dear sister to Margaret (Whittle) Dietrich of Hendersonville, Tenn. and Lotta (Whittle) Menah of West Deptford. She was the caring aunt to several nieces and nephews; lifelong friend to Norton Worthington of Sarasota, Fla. and dear friend to many. Dotty was also a loving daughter to the late James and Mary (Cassario) Whittle; beloved wife of the late William Joseph Tiver and companion to the late Clifford “Soupie” Campbell.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Dotty’s visitation on Thursday, June 20 at Holy Angel’s Parish at St. Patrick’s Church located at 64 Cooper Street in Woodbury from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. The funeral mass will be held at the church from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with interment to follow at Eglington Cemetery, located at 320 Kings Highway in Clarksboro from 1p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or any charity of choice in Dorothy’s name.
