Ardath Louise Saxbe

SAXBE Ardath Louise (Kleinhans) Saxbe, who was never called Ardath, just Dolly -was born in Toledo, Ohio, 19 June 1917. She grew up at the Lucas County Children's Home in Maumee, Ohio, where her parents, Charles Lindley and Mata Louise (Gennings) Kleinhans, were the superintendent and matron. Dolly often said she had 300 brothers and sisters. She graduated from Libbey High School in Toledo in 1935, and from Ohio State University with a B.F.A. in 1939. She married William Bart Saxbe of Mechanicsburg, Ohio at Maumee 14 September 1940. Their three children are William Bart Jr. (Bart) Saxbe now of Williamstown, MA, Juliet Louise Spitzer (Juli) of Wilson, WY and Charles Rockwell (Rocky)Saxbe of Bexely, Ohio. Dolly followed Bill through a succession of army posts during the Second World War and the Korean War. She was an active participant in his political career, moving to Washington when he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1968, and to India when he was appointed Ambassador in 1974. She taught at Mechanicsburg High School for several years. After retirement Bill and Dolly spent winters in Delray Beach, Florida. She was a member of the Senate Wives' Club in Washington and of Caroline Chapter #39, O.E.S. in Mechanicsburg; she belonged to the Church of Our Saviour (Episcopal) in Mechanicsburg. Dolly was a talented artist who loved to paint. A warm people-person, she was a gracious hostess who loved life and lived it to the full. She cared for Bill at home in his last years. She was predeceased by a sister Virginia Ardis, who died in childhood, and her brother Col. John L. Kleinhans, USMC. Dolly passed Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at home. She leaves her three children; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dolly's honor to the Church of Our Saviour, 56 S. Main St., Mechanicsburg, Ohio 43044 or to the Mechanicsburg Library, 60 S. Main St., Mechanicsburg, Ohio 43044. Services are entrusted to SKILLMAN, MCDONALD & VERNON FUNERAL HOME, Mechanicsburg. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.vernonfhcom.