Dorothy Oakes McGill, 93, died at her home Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011.
Born in Wales, she emigrated with her mother, Anne, and four siblings to join her father, John, in Philadelphia in 1926. After graduating from high school in Upper Darby, Penn., she graduated from secretarial school in Philadelphia, then worked as a secretary to “Jack” Kelley, Grace Kelley’s father. Growing up during the Great Depression and as a young bride during World War II shaped her life. Living in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Jersey and South Carolina, she finally settled in Columbus.
She volunteered with hospice and St. Luke’s Hospital and worked at the Tryon Fine Arts Center. Ms. McGill was a member of the Tryon Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed playing bridge with her friends and doing crossword puzzles. She was predeceased by her twin brother, Alec; a brother, Bert, and two sisters, Amy and Lucy.
She is survived by her two sons, James McGill and his wife, Frances of Lynchburg, Va. and Dr. John McGill and his wife, Margaret, of Bangor, Maine, as well as eight grandchildren: Laurie McGill of Portland, Ore.; Timothy McGill of Asheville, N.C.; Catherine McGill and her husband, Dan Harder, of Guilford, Conn.; Abigail Bragg of Orlando, Fla.; Christine Mihan and her husband, Eric, of Bangor, Maine; Ronald Kennon of Athol, Mass.; Angela Martin of Bedford County, Va. and Virginia Ayers of Madison Heights, Va., as well as six great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at Tryon Presbyterian Church at 1 p.m. Dec. 28, Tryon, with Rev. Mary Potter officiating.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, 130 Forest Glen Drive, Columbus, N.C. 28722.
An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel. McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon.