Dorothy Lee Kirby

After a lengthy illness, Dorothy went Home to her Lord, surrounded in love by her family, friends, neighbors and her Church. Dorothy fought a three-year courageous battle with kidney failure and congestive heart failure. Dorothy was born 1/29/26 in Springfield, MO but was raised in Smith Center Kansas. She attended the Smith Center schools and graduated from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. She met her husband J. Thomas Tom Kirby in Kansas City, MO and was married in 1949. Later, they moved to Chicago, IL where Dorothy and Tom received their Master Degrees from George William College. They moved to St. Louis, MO where their three children were born. After 17 years, the family moved to San Antonio, TX where they have lived for 33 years. Her parents, Frank and Eula Hoover, preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, J. Thomas Tom Kirby. Children and grandchildren of San Antonio, TX; Frank & Michelle Kirby and children, Brandon & Garrett, Dana Vogeler, and children, Lauren & Augie, Jesse & Gigi Kirby and son, Aaron. She is survived by her only sister Ruth Hoover Vanderhoof & husband, John of Grand Junction, CO. Also, two foster children survive: Gennye and Eric Duncan and children, Brandon and Bryant; and Barney and Veronica Mora and children, Anais and Brian. Also numerous nieces and nephews and brothers-and sisters-in-law survive. Dorothy taught at Community College in St. Louis, MO and taught Special Education at Lee High School in San Antonio for 20 years. In addition to teaching, helping her children and grandchildren were the joy of her life. She was also active in Travis Park United Methodist Church and Coker United Methodist Church. Her smiling, quiet presence will be missed by all who her knew her, but particularly by her husband, children and grandchildren. Special Thanks to Dr. Marnie Ross, Dr. Jean John Lui and Dr. Susan Diamond for helping her maintain a quality of life during these ill-health years.