Mae E. (Ritter) Dorman, 101

LEWES - Mae E. (Ritter) Dorman, of Lewes, died Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009, in her residence. She was 101. Mrs. Dorman was born Feb. 9, 1908, in Milford, the youngest of seven and the only daughter of the late Frederick and Sarah Frances (Litz) Ritter. Mrs. Dorman married her late husband, Albert Dorman (1993), in 1925 at the youthful age of 17 and resided in Lewes. During the depression years, they moved to Bridgeton, N.J., where her husband found work to support their growing family and she tended a huge garden for feeding the family. She sewed all their clothing and always counted her blessings. In 1941, the family returned to Lewes as construction of Fort Miles was underway. Mrs. Dorman did her part to support the family by operating a boarding house for eight to 10 men working at Fort Miles all the while raising her family that grew to seven children. As a result of the untiring efforts of Mrs. Dorman, the family was able to purchase a large farm in 1942 where they lived until 1985. Mrs. Dorman handled all the farm work, such as milking cows, plowing, planting and harvesting while Mr. Dorman worked on union projects, often times away from home for extended periods. When the farm was sold, Mrs. Dorman and her late husband moved to a residential community where they had a yard with a garden that was the envy of all. Mrs. Dorman was a devoted wife, loving mother, an adored mother-in-Law, worshiped grandmom, great-grandmom, great- great-grandmom and aunt Mae to all the Ritter children. She will be sorely missed by her large family, her neighbors and many friends. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Ernest Dorman; her daughter, Evelyn Brumbaugh (both in 2007); a granddaughter, Sue Ellen Dorman Wright (2007); a grandson, Joshua Allyn Thomas (1985); and her six brothers, Herbert, Roy, Lynn, William, Earl and Howard Ritter. She is survived by her four daughters, Elizabeth Thomas of Seaford, Joan Moore (Harry) of Lewes, Sarah Rickards (William) of Pt. Charlotte, Fla., and Susan Stone of Rehoboth Beach; and her son Al Dorman (Sharon) of Milton; 12 grandchildren, Edwin Thomas (Karen) of Gaithersburg, Md., Neil Thomas (Susan) of Harpers Ferry, W.Va., Frank D. Brumbaugh and Boyd Brumbaugh both of Philipsburg, Pa., Brent Moore (Nancy) and Mark Moore (Barbara) all of Lewes, Nancy Novak (Leon) of Millsboro, Jayne Leitzel (Wayne) of York, Pa., Terry Moscaritolo (Lou) of New Hartford, Conn., Tammy Rickards of Millsboro, Sarah Seigfried (Stan) of Berlin, Md., and Amanda Welch of Milton; 19 great-grandchildren, Douglas, Grant and Jacob Thomas, Katherine Gelineau (Matt), Mark Moore Jr. (Sara), Jordan and Jesse Moore, Lauri Moore Vent (Eric), William and Brendan Murphy, Jesse Matson, Nicki and Ryan Soucy, Skylar Seigfried, Josh and Alicia Berman, Zachary and Victor Novak, and Jeff Uhlendorf; one great-great-grandson, Justin Cruz Vent; daughter-in-law Doris Dorman of Millsboro; and son-in-law, Frank J. Brumbaugh of Philipsburg, Pa. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. today, February 21, 2009, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes. Eastern Star services will begin at 11 a.m. followed by the Christian service. Pastor Fred Duncan will be officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Whites Chapel Cemetery, Milton. Please omit flowers. Contributions may be made to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE or to Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 West 4th St., Lewes, DE 19958. Send online condolences to condolences@parsellfuneralhomes.com.