Dorothea M. Reilly, 100, of Erie, Pa., formerly of Dunkirk, N.Y., passed away peacefully Saturday evening (June 19, 2021) at Brevillier Village in Harborcreek, Pa.
Born in Dunkirk on June 4, 1921, to James and Dorothy (Bohn) Miller, she was the eldest of 13 brothers and sisters.
Dorothea earned her teaching certificate at age 18 and taught elementary school until her retirement. Many of her former third grade students recall her teaching the entire class the flutophone.
The legacy of her love of music can be found in the commentary section of the June 3, 2021 edition of the Dunkirk Observer titled “Century of life has been sweet music” by Peter Miller.
Survivors include two sisters: Margaret (Harold) Emmerling and Katherine (Douglas) Hosterman; two brothers: Paul (Margaret) Miller and Peter Miller; two sons: Thomas W. (Catherine) Reilly III and Steven J. (Debbie) Reilly; three grandsons: Brandon, Alexander and Christopher; four granddaughters: Erin, Emily, Elly and Eva; a great-grandson, Patrick Reilly; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas W. Reilly Jr., whom she married in 1951 and who died in 1999.
Burial will be a small private gathering with immediate family at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Dunkirk.
Dorothea has asked that in lieu of any expenditures related to her funeral such as food, flowers, or travel, a donation be made to PAX CHRISTI https://paxchristi. net/donate/
Arrangements are by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.
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