Dorothy R. Mather

1927 - 2015

Dorothy R. Mather, 87

BREMEN - Dorothy R. Mather, 87, of Lake of the Woods, Bremen, Indiana was born Feb. 19, 1927, daughter of the late Faye S. and A.R. Mather passed this life Feb, 9, 2015.

She was born in Princeton, IN to missionaries to Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) Africa, the last of six children. Brothers Robert, Kenneth, and Gordon, sisters, Mary and Martha, the boys all born in Africa, and girls all born in US, all preceded Dorothy in death.

Dorothy spent most of her early childhood in Africa, her mother bringing all the children home to be formally educated in the US.

Dorothy graduated 1945 from West Lafayette High School. She received her bachelor's degree from Purdue University 1951 and master's degree in physical education from Indiana University in 1965.

She started her teaching career at Washington Clay at South Bend and at Elwood High School north of Kokomo, then began a 30 year career at Plymouth High School until her retirement in 1984. During her time at PHS she was a teacher of physical education and health, coach of girls volleyball, basketball, tennis, track, badminton, gymnastics, and any other girls sport activity until she became Women's Athletic Director 1972. Dorothy sponsored the PHS GAA, Pep Club and cheerleaders, hosted the State girl's badminton tournament several years crediting one State Championship to PHS. She also spent many summers as a YWCA camp counselor at various camps in Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio.

Dorothy was quite an avid Olympic supporter and attended several Olympics at home and abroad since 1960. Adding to her Olympic travels, she also visited Hawaii, Alaska, New Zealand, Mexico, and several Caribbean countries, traveled and camped the entire US.

She is survived by 10 nieces and nephews: Alyce McDonald (Paul) of Bremen, Martha Rohr of Lafayette, In., Nancy Helland of East Jordan, Mi., Shirley Mather of East Jordan, Mi., David Mather (Samantha) of Hawaii, Dr. John C. Mather (Jane) of Hyattsville, Md., Janet Purvis (Ralph) of Philadelphia, Pa., Linda Becker (John) of Orlando, Fl., Carolyn Miller (Dr. Stephen) of Lewisburg, W. Va., and Richard Bachmann (Allison) of Baltimore, Md., 17 great-nieces and nephews, and many great-great nieces and nephews. Dorothy will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

There will be a celebration of Dorothy Mather's life at a later date. Condolences may be left at: www.johnson-danielson.com

Dorothy's life can be honored by a memorial gift in her name to either: Plymouth Athletics, 1 Big Red Drive, Plymouth, IN 46563, Team U.S.A. c/o U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Foundation, 1 Olympic Plaza, Colorado Springs, CO 80909 or Special Olympics, 1133 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036.

Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, Plymouth, IN. will be assisting the family with arrangements.