Dorothy Lee O'Konski Lash

Dorothy Lee O'Konski Lash, age 87, passed away August 31, 2025, in Midlothian, Virginia, following a brief illness.

Born on July 22, 1938, in Cleveland, Ohio, Dotty lived her young adult life in Wheeling, West Virginia. Her father, Theodore O'Konski, was Vice President of Wheeling Steel. Her mother, Robina Campbell O'Konski, was a homemaker and mother to Dotty and Dotty's three brothers: Theodore Robert "Bob", Douglas Campbell, and Richard Brian.

Dotty pursued her education at Bethany College where she met her husband Richard "Dick" Lash and MANY lifelong friends. After Bethany, she and Dick moved to Hawaii when he joined the Marine Corps. Following the Marine Corps, they moved to Farmville, VA, and raised their four girls. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, her eldest daughter, Vicki Lynn Lash Sharkey, her brother, Bob O'Konski, and both parents.

Dotty is lovingly remembered by her daughters; Sue Ellen Lash Edwards, Leslie Jo Lash McGuire, and Elizabeth "Betsy" Campbell Lash Snead (Shawn). Her legacy continues through the generations who have known her as Dede: her grandchildren; Stephen Ryan Sharkey (Jenni), Robyn Leigh Torkelson (Josh), Samantha Jo Sharkey (Tom), Smith Phillips McGuire, Jake Madeline McGuire, Sean Keegan Snead, Kaleigh Campbell Snead, and Zachary Robert Edwards; and her great-grandchildren Madilynn, Carter, and Avery Torkelson. She is well remembered by many friends who will miss her deeply.

Dotty lived a life filled with grace, strength, and quiet resilience. She devoted herself to her family and was a constant source of love, kindness, and unwavering support. Her door was always open to family and friends. She will be remembered not only for her strong qualities, but for homemade chocolate chip cookies, a full refrigerator of drinks for the neighborhood kids, and a front yard that doubled as a playground for them.

A memorial to honor Dotty's life will be held on Friday, October 10 at 2PM at Farmville Presbyterian Church, with a reception in the Fellowship Hall immediately following. The church will also provide a livestream of the service.