Dorothy J. Wadell

Dorothy J. Wadell, 101, of Louisville, died on Friday, October 3, 2025.
Born May 18,1924, she was the 3rd child of Leopold and Henrietta Schindler.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Bill, her brother Paul Schindler (Thelma), sister Mary Kay Layden (Ed), son in law, Carl Duncan, Jr, and her grandsons, Will Augustus and Nicholas Polston.
Dot attended St. Frances of Rome Church and School and was a proud graduate of Atherton High School for Girls on Morton Avenue. Accelerated by the sisters at St. Frances of Rome, Dot met her future husband when she was placed in the 6th grade class with Bill Wadell. Their friendship grew through high school and the Catholic Youth Group, blossoming into love over a three-year correspondence while Bill was stationed in Europe during WWII. Bill and Dot were married at the old Holy Trinity Church in St. Matthews on October 5, 1946.
After high school, Dot worked as a secretary at Underwriter's Safety and Claims until marriage and children set her on a new journey in life. She and Bill practiced their Catholic faith in all they did. In later years you never saw Dot without a rosary in her hands. Over the years Dot was a member of Holy Trinity, Holy Spirit, and St. Aloysius of Pewee Valley. Dot was a kind and thoughtful person, known for the cards and notes she wrote to countless family members and friends. She had a mischievous sense of humor and was the supreme baker of chocolate chip cookies. You were very fortunate if you were a recipient of her Christmas cookies. Dot was born the year that Plehn's Bakery opened and remained a loyal customer her entire life, professing her love of kolaches to all.
Dot's children will treasure the memories she created for us – picnics at Bernheim Forest or Cherokee Park in Louisville, special cakes on our "feast days" with a lit sparkler on top, innovative, homemade Halloween costumes, a song for every occasion (how did she know so many songs?), a home cooked meal on the table every night and clean clothes in our cubbyholes.
Dot is survived by her nine children, daughters, Mary (John) Tierney, Anne (Neal) Augustus, Amy Duncan, Christine (Pat) Docter, Barbara (Steve) Collard; sons, Paul (Carmella), Robert (Jill), Thomas (Kristan), and John (Gabrielle); 23 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Grandma loved all her grandchildren, always finding time to fix pepperoni-cheese toast, play a game of cards and sing songs.
The family thanks the staff at Westport Place for their care during Dot's 8 years there, especially Diana.
Visitation will be on Sunday, October 26th from 3 PM-7 PM at Ratterman's in St. Matthews. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 501 Cherrywood Rd., Louisville at 10 AM on Monday, October 27th.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Passionist Missions in India, c/o 660 Busse Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068 or by visiting their website.
Online condolences may be left at www.RattermanBrothers.com.