Dorcas A. VanHorn

Dorcas A. VanHorn, formerly of Westerly, died Oct. 22, 2007, at Adel, Iowa, of complications related to Alzheimer's.
She was born Nov. 20, 1912, in Pawcatuck, the daughter of John and Annabelle Austin. Dorcas married Elston H. VanHorn on July 18, 1937, in Westerly. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary just six months prior to his death in 1987.
She was a member of the Westerly College Club and Monday Club, a member and officer of The Westerly Hospital Aid Association, and a member of Westerly Adult Day Care Center Board of Directors. She and her late husband were members of the hospital's Board of Incorporators. They were both volunteers with the Westerly Public Library.
She was also a high-energy amateur entertainer. Her dramatic readings and comedic caricatures at club meetings, banquets and other public events were an outlet for her performing arts college education.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; a sister, Elizabeth (Austin) Pulver; and a brother, Alexander Austin.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Jared and Donna VanHorn, Waukee, Iowa; two granddaughters, Michele (Brad) Bjorkgren, Urbandale, Iowa, and Sarah (Christopher) Shires, West Des Moines, Iowa; four great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, including David VanHorn, Shannock; and a special "adopted daughter," Mrs. Barbara Nugent, Westerly.
A celebration of her life will take place on Sunday, Nov. 25, at 2 p.m. at the Pawcatuck Seventh Day Baptist Church, 118 Main St., Westerly, of which she was a member.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Memorial and Library Association of Westerly.