Obituary for Dorothea Wilma Mansell Steele
Dorothea Wilma Mansell Steele, of Richmond, Massachusetts passed peacefully at home with family in attendance on Thursday, February 3, 2022 at an impressive 94 years old.
Dorothea was the eldest child of Ruth Lyford Mansell and Maurice Ames Mansell. She was born in Concord New Hampshire on September 28, 1927 and was delivered by Dr. Blood, then governor of the State of New Hampshire. She attended the University of New Hampshire where she met John Steele. They married in Stoddard New Hampshire in 1949.
Dorothea was a Richmond resident for 64 years. She was pre-deceased by her husband John Walter Steele and her eldest child, Arthur Gregory Steele, her brother, Richard Mansell and her sister, Dr. Ellen Mansell, MD.
Dorothea is survived by her sisters, Margaret Payne of Kansas and Susan Krebs and her partner Lester Phillips of New Hampshire, her children and their spouses, Nathan Steele, Matthew and Diane Steele of Richmond, and Mariday Steele and Paul Geyer of Hancock along with Carol Krimsky.
Dorothea was able to witness her six grandchildren, Ian and Ilona Steele, Rachael, Craig and Mark Geyer and John Caleb Steele grow into wonderful adults and welcome their spouses Josue Martinez, Stephen Root, Sara Consolati, and Lenea Cromartie into our family circle.
In addition she was able to welcome into this world seven beloved great grandchildren, Waylon, Althea, Leto, Solaris, Isabel, Miles, and Valentine. Her eyes visibly brightened and her heart shone at the sound of their voices and their presence in her lap as she bore witness to their childhood joy.
She was cared for by her son, Nathan, who provided as much stimulus and joy as possible for the last 13 years of her life. They enjoyed not only deep conversations, and memories shared but a lot of humor and mutual teasing.
Dorothea was an avid reader on many diverse topics, enjoyed socializing and conversation and was always welcoming and interested in others and their families. Her husband was first captivated by the way her eyes crinkled up when she smiled and sparked with laughter. She had a ready wit, loved wry humor, appreciated plays on words and a clever turn of a phrase. Dorothea inherited the “Lyford/Mansell” sense of humor, producing laughter filled memories of her mother and siblings gatherings across her lifetime. This talented use of laughter and fun has shown up frequently throughout the next generations of her family and has added many more happy and fond memories to our family history.
Dorothea’s presence will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her.
Fly free from pain and be our guardian angel.
Services were private. In lieu of flowers, donations to Elder Services of Berkshire County would be greatly appreciated, in recognition of the support their caretakers helped provide through the years. Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield, MA is handling the arrangements.
Dorothea was the eldest child of Ruth Lyford Mansell and Maurice Ames Mansell. She was born in Concord New Hampshire on September 28, 1927 and was delivered by Dr. Blood, then governor of the State of New Hampshire. She attended the University of New Hampshire where she met John Steele. They married in Stoddard New Hampshire in 1949.
Dorothea was a Richmond resident for 64 years. She was pre-deceased by her husband John Walter Steele and her eldest child, Arthur Gregory Steele, her brother, Richard Mansell and her sister, Dr. Ellen Mansell, MD.
Dorothea is survived by her sisters, Margaret Payne of Kansas and Susan Krebs and her partner Lester Phillips of New Hampshire, her children and their spouses, Nathan Steele, Matthew and Diane Steele of Richmond, and Mariday Steele and Paul Geyer of Hancock along with Carol Krimsky.
Dorothea was able to witness her six grandchildren, Ian and Ilona Steele, Rachael, Craig and Mark Geyer and John Caleb Steele grow into wonderful adults and welcome their spouses Josue Martinez, Stephen Root, Sara Consolati, and Lenea Cromartie into our family circle.
In addition she was able to welcome into this world seven beloved great grandchildren, Waylon, Althea, Leto, Solaris, Isabel, Miles, and Valentine. Her eyes visibly brightened and her heart shone at the sound of their voices and their presence in her lap as she bore witness to their childhood joy.
She was cared for by her son, Nathan, who provided as much stimulus and joy as possible for the last 13 years of her life. They enjoyed not only deep conversations, and memories shared but a lot of humor and mutual teasing.
Dorothea was an avid reader on many diverse topics, enjoyed socializing and conversation and was always welcoming and interested in others and their families. Her husband was first captivated by the way her eyes crinkled up when she smiled and sparked with laughter. She had a ready wit, loved wry humor, appreciated plays on words and a clever turn of a phrase. Dorothea inherited the “Lyford/Mansell” sense of humor, producing laughter filled memories of her mother and siblings gatherings across her lifetime. This talented use of laughter and fun has shown up frequently throughout the next generations of her family and has added many more happy and fond memories to our family history.
Dorothea’s presence will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her.
Fly free from pain and be our guardian angel.
Services were private. In lieu of flowers, donations to Elder Services of Berkshire County would be greatly appreciated, in recognition of the support their caretakers helped provide through the years. Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield, MA is handling the arrangements.