DOROTHEA MARIE HESPE MORSE

MORSE, DOROTHEA MARIE HESPE - age 88 of Lenoir City, formerly of Irvington, Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, NY, died Wednesday, January 9, 2013 in Tennessee after a brief illness. Born in Philadelphia, PA on January 1, 1925, she was the eldest daughter of George and Helen O'Malley Hespe. Dorothea grew up in West Philadelphia, PA where she graduated from the former Notre Dame Academy, earned her Bachelor of Science form the University of Pennsylvania and a Masters in Education from Manhattan College in New York. She taught many years in the Beaufort County, SC school system as a special education teacher. Dorothea was a former President of the Literacy Foundation on Helton Head Island and member of the Avid Gardeners Association. Upon retiring, she was active in literacy tutoring. Since 2006 she made her home near her children in Lenoir City, TN where she was an active member of St. Thomas The Apostle Church. Dorothea was preceded in death by her brothers, James Hespe in 1984 and George Hespe in 2005, and a nephew, James Hespe, Jr. in 1986. She had been married to the late Dr. Francis F. E. Morse. She is survived by her daughter, Marianne Morse of Knoxville, TN; sons, Francis F. E. Morse of Schuylerville, NY, Robert of Knoxville, TN and Christopher of Ipswich, MA; grandchildren, Katie and Adam Morse; sister, Marianne H. Thompson of Malvern, PA; brother, William Hespe of Merion Station, PA; eleven nephews and three nieces. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, January 12, 2013 in the Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel with a Christian Wake Service to follow at 3:00 p.m. with Deacon Dave Pecot. A Funeral Mass and burial will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2013 in Conshohocken, PA. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Literacy Foundation, Catholic Charities or the STAR Riding Academy of Knoxville, TN. Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel, 11915 Kingston Pike is serving the Morse family . www.clickfh.com