Dorothy A. Mank

Dorothy A. Mank

Dorothy Mank, 91, of Charlottesville, died unexpectedly on Friday, February 19, 2010.

She was born in White Plains, New York, the daughter of Irving and Charlotte Abbott.

In 1941, she married Sidney Mank, beginning 56 years of a wonderful marriage. Following his return from World War II, they moved to Miami, Florida, where she established a commercial interior decorating business and began a long record of health-related volunteer work.

In 1967, Dot and Sid retired to Rappahannock County. She became deeply involved in charitable and community affairs as a founder of the Rappahannock Medical Equipment Loan Closet, breast cancer educator, Garden Club member and library volunteer.

In 1994, they moved to Charlottesville. Already in her 80's, Dot volunteered for years at the University of Virginia Medical Center in the MRI department, Emergency Room and Cancer Center. She later became a docent at the Miller Center of Public Affairs, where she researched and wrote an illustrated history of the Miller Center facility, earning official recognition as the "Miller Center Historian."

She was predeceased by her husband; her sister, Lynne Ader; and her sister-in-law, Sylvia Kaufman.

She is survived by her son, Andrew; daughter-in-law, Sally; close cousin, Myrna Tichenor; nephews, Joel and Doug Ader; niece, Ann Newberry; and grand niece, Susan Klees. Also surviving and loved as if family, are Richard and Sandy Antony of Rappahannock County, and their son, Christopher, and daughter, Allison.

Dot will be remembered for her skill, love and devotion as a family caregiver, her zest for life, her independence, and her deep love of family and close friends.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Hill and Wood Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends after the service at the Lakeside Apartments Clubhouse. Interment at the Culpeper National Cemetery will be private and at a later time.

Contributions in Dot's memory may be made to the Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911.

Friends may send condolences to the family at www.hillandwood.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.