Dorothy Yentz

Dorothy "Dodie" (Wilkinson) Yentz, 89, wife of the late Jerome H. Yentz of Phoenixville, PA passed away peacefully at home on Friday, March 11, 2022 enveloped by her family.

She was born on January 7, 1933 in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin to the late Dr. John D. and Gertrude (Conway) Wilkinson.

Dodie received a Masters Degree in Medical Technology.  For 25 years she was the personal assistant to John S. D. Eisenhower and assisted in the publishing of many military history books.  He dedicated to her his 2001 book “Yanks, The Epic Story of the American Army in World War I”.

She was a founding member of St. Basil the Great Catholic Church where she played the organ for many years.

Dodie loved not only the adventure of travel, especially back to the shores of Lac La Belle where she was born, but also the calming rhythms of knitting and playing the piano and organ.  She enjoyed sailing and skiing in her youth, collecting elephants, and was still competitive at cribbage.  Dodie delighted in baking bread, cookies, and birthday cakes.

She cherished her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandson.  Dodie developed a special interest in each of her child’s and grandchild’s pursuits and was enthusiastic in attending their activities and events throughout grade school, high school, and college years.  There were countless graduations, concerts, musicals, marching band routines, recitals, rowing regattas, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, and volleyball games, swimming and orienteering meets, archery and wrestling tournaments, dance performances, ballets, art and science fairs.  In later years she used her technical skills to live stream events.  It was a joy to watch her intently listen to one grandson’s radio broadcasts from Boston on Sunday mornings, and to another rock with his band at Molly Maguire’s into her eighties.

She is survived by 6 children:

Kathleen Bernardin of Pottstown, PA

Daniel husband of Laura Yentz of Springfield, PA

Lt. Col. (ret) James husband of Doris Yentz of Germany

Kevin husband of Mary Beth Yentz of Lancaster, MA

Julie Edmiston of Hockessin, DE

Brigid wife of Steve Parsons of Oceanside, CA

8 grandchildren:

Andrew Bernardin

Danielle wife of Jason Rinde

Erin wife of Joseph Farabaugh

Brian Yentz

Benjamin Yentz

John Edmiston IV

Kristen Edmiston

Lauren Edmiston

Great Grandson, Jude Rinde

Sisters:  Gertrude Wilkinson and Mary Schwarz and brother, Larry husband of Diane Wilkinson

She was preceded in death by her infant daughter Mary Yentz; infant granddaughter Rachel Edmiston, and her brothers Jack, Ned, Michael and Daniel Wilkinson

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Mass at St. Basil the Great Catholic Church, 2340 Kimberton Road, Phoenixville, PA on Monday, March 21, 2022 at 11:00AM.

Burial will follow in St. Ann Cemetery.

A viewing will be held in the church on Monday, March 21, 2022 from 9:45AM to 10:45AM.

Attendees are requested to wear something blue, Dodie’s favorite color.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the following charitable organizations:

Project C.U.R.E

Donate link:   Project C.U.R.E.

Website: https://projectcure.org/

Ironwood Pig Sanctuary

Donate link:  Ironwood Pig Sanctuary

Website: https://www.ironwoodpigs.org/

St. Basil the Great Parish

Donate link:   St. Basil the Great

Website: https://stbasils.org/