Obituary of Dorothy Jean Richenderfer

Webster: Died peacefully on Jan. 1, 2024 at age 99, due to complications of advanced dementia. She is pre-deceased by her parents Glen and Pearl Utt of Rohrsburg, PA, and her beloved husband of 65 years, Walter Richenderfer. She is survived by her son, Tommie Richenderfer (Elizabeth) of Webster;  grandchildren, Laura A. Higgins (Michael) of Rochester and Andrew Richenderfer (Amy Buck) of Akron, Ohio; great-grandchildren, Jack and Lilah Higgins.

Jean was born in Rohrsburg, PA. She graduated from Millville High School and the Thompson Institute, Harrisburg, PA.  She worked during World War II at the supply depot at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA. After the war, she returned to Bloomsburg, PA and worked at Bomboy’s Meat Market where she met Walter. She and Walter were married in 1950 and settled in Milton, PA, working at the Milton Locker Plant.

Following Walter’s military service during the Korean War, they moved to Rohrsburg, PA and had their son, Tom. Jean was an avid gardener who grew many vegetables and froze and canned them for her family’s use. Jean had a mind of her own. She loved cats, hummingbirds, word puzzles, dominos and crafting. She had an extensive collection of penguin figurines.

They retired to Greenwood Valley, PA in 1985 and lived there until Walter’s passing in 2015. She  moved to Webster, NY and lived with her son and his wife until 2018 when she moved to St. Ann’s Care Center at Cherry Ridge, Webster, NY. 

Thank you to the St. Ann’s staff, Dr. Kim Petrone and Regina Hoover, RN for their loving care; our family was truly blessed.

Friends may call 2-4 PM Saturday, Jan. 13 at Willard H. Scott Funeral Home, 12 South Ave., Webster.  Interment, Rohrsburg, PA Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the St. Ann’s Foundation, 1500 Portland Avenue, Rochester, NY, 14621.