Dorothy A. Monelli

Dorothy A. Monelli died on Saturday, March 8, 2008 in Mesa, Arizona. She was 87 years old. Born to Albert and Gertrude Van Tine in Beacon, New York, on August 31st, 1920, Dorothy moved to Arizona in the 1940s to work at Camelback Inn as a hairdresser. Soon after this move she married Paul A. Monelli and moved to Litchfield Park where she worked as a hairdresser, raised her two children and was active in Girl Scouts, the PTA, and the Library for more than twenty years. A lifelong Episcopalian, Dorothy was a founding member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church and served as director of the Altar Guild for twelve years. In the 1970s she moved to Avondale where she opened her own needlework shop, The Needle Nest and taught classes in knitting, crochet, embroidery, and needlepoint. An accomplished seamstress, Dororthy was responsible for fabricating the interiors of the Bobby McGee Restaurants and later became an enthusiastic quilter as well. She was active in the Caps for Kids program which provides warm winter hats for children in need all over the country and she also knit hats for preemies at Phoenix Children's Hospital. Countless children and adults have received gifts of her handiwork over the years which have included baby quilts, sweaters, hats, scarves, and even church vestments. Dorothy is survived by her brother, Albert, son Paul and daughter Nancy; grandchildren Cassandra Fynes, Kevin Monelli and Johanna Mock and great grandson, Teegan Fynes, in addition to many friends. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 10:00am at Christ Church Anglican (5811 N. 20th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85016. Office Phone: 602-955-2040.) Meldrum Mortuary handled the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Altar Guild or Outreach Committee of Christ Church Anglican. Sign the Guest Book at eastvalleytribune.com
This obituary was originally published in the East Valley Tribune.