Dora Collver

Dora (Ruckel) Collver

Dora (Ruckel) Collver passed away Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at the Hospice Care Center on Ridgewood Road in Copley.

Dora was born in Akron, Ohio on May 6, 1929 to August and Myra Ruckel. She attended Findley Grade School and Akron North High School, graduating in 1947, and enrolled at Kent State University in 1948. A talented singer and pianist, she studied at the Hugh A. Glauser School of music and also became a member of Alpha Xi Sorority. Throughout her life she continued to enjoy playing the piano and singing.

Dora married John M. Collver on September 10, 1950. They had four children and raised their family in Cuyahoga Falls and Hudson, Ohio. An accomplished seamstress, Dora made many of her own clothes, sewed her own wedding dress and made many outfits for her children in their early years.

In 1978, living with John in Centerville, Ohio, Dora was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and began a thirty year battle with the disease. She soon saw the need for a local MS Support Group and founded the MS South Suburban Support Group in 1980. The group soon had as many as seventy-five MS persons and their families involved. Dora was given the Award for Outstanding Contributions by the National MS Society for her work. She also spent many years as a volunteer with the MS Society of Akron. Always with positive outlook and a ready smile, Dora lived these years as a testimony that you never give up and that many things can be accomplished despite serious obstacles. She has been an inspiration to many by the way she became actively involved with service projects for others.

Dora was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Charlotte DeLong. She is survived by her devoted caregiver and husband of fifty-seven years, John; son, James; daughter, Charlotte Barton; daughter, Cynthia Martinez (husband Mark); son, Edward (wife Sheila); grandchildren, Meg Martinez, Amery Martinez-Abercrombie (husband Matt), John Collver and Lauren Daugintis (husband Josh); great-grandchildren, Raegan and Brycen Daugintis. Also surviving are brothers, Calvin Ruckel and John Ruckel (wife Claire).

At her request organ donations have been made to the Cleveland Clinic Mellen Center for MS Research. Also at her request cremation has taken place. There will be a private family memorial service at a later date. Should friends desire memorial donations may be made in Dora's name to the Hospice Care Center, 3358 Ridgewood Road, Akron, Ohio 44333 or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 520 South Main Street, Suite 2501, Akron, Ohio 44311-1056.

We would like to add a special thank you to Barbara Christe and Renee Williams and the staff of Visiting Nurse Service. The love and care they gave to Dora was truly outstanding.

An Irish Blessing

May you always walk in Sunshine

May you never want for more, and

May Irish angels rest their wings

Right beside your door.