Dorothy Guidry

1940 - 2018

Dorothy Silvis Guidry, 78, entered the gates of heaven on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, after a short battle with brain cancer. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief in God supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her peace. Dorothy was born May 23, 1940, in Pittsburgh to the late Harold Silvis and Louise Silvis Carr, a doctor and a music teacher respectively. She grew up in the town of Irwin, where she graduated from high school. She went on to attend Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in Nashville, Tenn. It was there that she met Marine Sgt. Norman R. Guidry. In 1960, they were married and in 1962, they both graduated from Vanderbilt University. Following graduation, she began to build her family. Dorothy was blessed with four children. She spent the first half of her adult life living the life of a Marine wife, with frequent moves around the country. She raised her four children with patience, discipline, humility and a little humor, even when her husband was away from home serving a tour of duty in Vietnam. The Marine Corps and church community provided the support she needed. Along the way, she met dear friends who become adopted family and remained important to her throughout her life. In 1975, life as a Marine Corps wife ended when her husband retired. Six months later, they moved their family to Milford, Mass., and civilian life began. They plugged into the community and to a local church. Dorothy served as a Sunday school teacher, Bible study leader, Sunday school superintendent and deaconess. She encouraged her children in their own personal relationships with Jesus Christ. In 1989, she opened a Christian bookstore with a dear friend to serve the local community. And in 1993, life changed again. Her husband took early retirement and they moved to Costa Rica to serve as missionaries, where they served together for 23 years. Dorothy is survived by her husband, Norman Guidry; her sons, Sam and Paul Guidry; her daughters, Beth Olson and Lisa Wiersma; her grandchildren, John Guidry, Robert Guidry, Sami Guidry, Chayla Guidry, Nisa Guidry, Grant Olson, Luke Olson, Micaiah Wiersma, Hannah Wiersma, Joshua Wiersma, and Ryley Guidry; and her great-grandchildren, Elisha Guidry and Silas Guidry.
Dorothy will be remembered at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at a memorial service, with a reception to follow at Grace Tabernacle in Wildwood, Fla. Pastor Gary Washburn will officiate the service.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to http://www.blackandwhiteforjesusministries.org/.