Dorothy James Sinon

February 19, 2010

Dorothy James Sinon, 95, of Harrisburg, peacefully passed away on Friday, Feb. 19, 2010, at her home. Born on January 19, 1915, in Plymouth, she was a daughter of the late Governor Arthur H. James and Ada Morris. She was also preceded in death by her twin brother, Morris; another brother, Arthur Jr. and in 2003, by her husband of 60 years, Frank A. Sinon. She leaves behind a daughter, Leslie Sinon Powell and son-in-law, William R. Powell, of Harrisburg. Also surviving are her cousin, Jeanette Aiken, of York; and Mrs. Aiken's five children. During 1939, Mrs. Sinon's father, Arthur H. James, a widower, campaigned for and was elected Governor of Pennsylvania. Shortly after taking office, acting First Lady Gracie Hainey Morris, his mother-in-law, died. As a result, Dorothy's career took an unexpected turn. Headlines read "Promising Career on Stage Interrupted To Become Governor's Housekeeper," "Efficient Clear-eyed Business Woman Tends to Job of First Lady." During the ensuing two years of her father's Governorship, Dorothy served with distinction as First Lady. Then one night at a Supreme Court dinner, held at the Governor's Mansion, Dorothy met a distinguished young lawyer serving as a Deputy Attorney General in her father's administration, Frank A. Sinon, of Austin. She was smitten and marriage would soon follow. In October 1941, the Governor, who had also served as the state's Lieutenant Governor from 1927 through 1931, remarried. The following year on November 14, 1942, Dorothy and Frank were married in a fashionable wedding at Grace United Methodist Church. An Executive Mansion reception followed, attended by more than 800 people. Dorothy became the first daughter of a war-time Governor to marry in Pennsylvania history. After leaving government service, Sinon would become a founding partner of the prominent law firm of Rhoads & Sinon. Funeral services will be held at Grace United Methodist Church, 216 State St., Harrisburg, at noon, Wednesday. Visitation will precede the service from 11 a.m. to noon. Private burial arrangements will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central PA, P.O. Box 266, Enola, PA 17025-0266. Please visit www.mem.com to share online condolences. Arrangements are in the care of the Neill Funeral Home, Harrisburg.