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BORN

1950

DIED

2021

FUNERAL HOME

Hummel Funeral Home & Crematories - Akron

500 East Exchange Street

Akron, Ohio

Dorthelynn Andreoli Obituary

Dorthelynn (Dee Dee) Andreoli passed away peacefully on August 25, 2021. Born in Akron, Ohio March 28, 1950 to proud parents, Jack and Josephine Griffiths. She attended Old Trail, graduated from Firestone High School and attended the University of Akron, after which she went to work for the Limited. She quickly rose to become their #1 sales associate in the country. In 1976 she used her unique merchandising and business skills to open Rock a Bye Baby located in the historic Quaker Square. It became one of the most successful children's stores in Northeast Ohio. Dee Dee's vibrant personality and enthusiasm made her a favored guest on the Morning Exchange where she hosted fashion shows featuring the children of many of her friends and customers. The store was open for 20 years and after it closed, she joined her parents in operating their Spring Hills Golf Club and Griffiths Pool. This was her summer passion - working and mentoring the many young people who were employed by the family over their 25 year tenure. Dee Dee, being a woman of great energy was an enthusiastic golfer, a member of the Garden Club and a volunteer of countless hours bringing joy to Sumner home residents. She was also a partner with her husband in making the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn a welcoming and exceptional hotel for travelers and a beautiful venue for special events. Her decisions and recommendations touched every corner of every room in the building and especially in the extraordinary outdoor spaces where she would oversee the planting of each flower and tree. She was a woman who loved her home and made it a haven for all God's creatures. Saving one stray cat grew to too many to count - the garage was overtaken for shelter and the cars were moved outside. She also loved the ducks that visited the Hilton annually and made sure not only were they well fed, but designed a special pond and waterfall for their use. And when it came to her dogs, her care and concern for Mia and Milo is legendary. Besides spending time with her loving husband and family, she was always looking for an opportunity to reach out and brighten someone's day. She remembered what your favorite Girl Scout cookie was and made sure you had a couple of boxes saved during her annual cookie distribution to all the employees of the Hilton. She loved to be involved - hosting barbecues for the counselors and campers at the Akron Rotary Camp - Birthday and holiday parties at Sumner where she would lead them in memorable sing-alongs. Everyone who was fortunate enough to know her will miss the delightful laughter, her genuine sincerity and ability to make you feel you were her best friend. Preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Josephine Griffiths and sister, Jackye. She leaves behind her husband of 48 years, Rennick; sister, Debbie Phoenix (Bob); nieces, Kim Goodrich and Lisa Ryan (Pat); nephews, Chris (Tracy) and Philip (Fernanda) Friden; sisters-in-law, Linda Nix and Kerin Friden; aunt, Mary Lou Dean; uncle, Michael Baitz (Charline) and many loving cousins and great nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service will be held Friday, September 3rd at 11:00 a.m. at St. Hilary Church, 2750 West Market Street, Fairlawn, Ohio. A celebration of Dee Dee's Life will follow the funeral service at the Hilton, 3180 W. Market St. There will be a private family entombment. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation to The Humane Society of Summit County, The Akron Rotary Camp or the Stephen A. Comunale, Jr. Family Cancer Foundation.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Akron Beacon Journal from Aug. 29 to Sep. 2, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Dorthelynn Andreoli

Sponsored by Akron Beacon Journal.

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Debbie Heffernan

February 2, 2024

Was going through some old papers from 1993 and ran across a business card I had from a purchase I made at a darling shop in Quaker Square. I decided to look up Dee as she was such a sweet woman. So sorry to hear of her passing. What a beautiful woman inside and out! A life well lived.
Please accept my sincere condolences.

Steve & Sharon Stallard

September 8, 2021

Our Condolences to the Family.

Bill Fairweather

September 7, 2021

Dee Dee was one "GREAT lady", whose true essence was one of both "uncommon GRACE" and "pure CLASS." Combining those three personal qualities together..."greatness", "uncommon grace", and "pure class... such personifies the `Dee Dee Andreoli´ we were all so blessed to have been privileged to know. Her very legacy as the kind of "loving, caring, and giving" person she was shall forever live on within all who ever simply came into contact with her. My deepest, most sincere and heartfelt sympathies to Rennick over the loss of his beloved Dee Dee, so uniquely his "other half." His world, and ours´ as well, are truly diminished by her passing. May Dee Dee forever "Rest in Peace."

Valerie Bickley and Family

September 6, 2021

Our condolences to the family .... from our family... the family of Dorothy Ruth Bickley

Margaret Couch

September 3, 2021

I met & worked with Dee at the Limited in Summit Mall when it was by Higbee's/ Halle's...so long ago, I was a security guard at the store, and welcomed every customer with a smile, just like Dee. I remember her boundless energy and enthusiasm for life and her store, and family was paramount. I seem to remember a person named Grace (I think) who also worked there and then I remember the Rolling Acre store, too. I left to go onto nursing program at Tri-C and never saw Dee again, but did shop at her Rock A Bye baby store when my son & his wife had triplets years ago. She was one in a million, spoke so lovingly of Rennick and family, Heaven is joyous to have her but we can honor her sweet memory by being kind and compassionate to others and life. I am now home bound and in a wheel chair, but am thinking of her & family/ friends with prayers and grateful our paths once crossed. So sorry for your loss...Respectfully Peggy Couch/ Richfield, OH

Barbara Miller

September 2, 2021

DeeDee was Beautiful inside and out! My son was in a fashion show that she provided the clothes for when he was four years old. He also celebrated his bar mitzvah at the Hilton. I was so happy to see her at Publix recently when she was down here in Florida. May she rest in peace.

Tiffany's Bakery

September 2, 2021

On behalf of Bruce, Tony, and all of our employees at Tiffany's Bakery it is with a heavy heart we send to you our deepest condolences in the loss of sweet DeeDee.
She was a ray of sunshine who lit up the bakery every time she walked through the door to get her favorite sweet treats such as our Amaretto Cherry ice cream, chocolate cream sticks, and of course some oatmeal raisin cookies for her husband.
DeeDee was loved and will be missed by each and everyone of us.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Debbie Knecht

Garden of Life Basket

The Dillon Family

Sent Flowers

Ksenia Luchkowska

September 2, 2021

With loving thoughts to my former brother-in-law

John Horvath

September 2, 2021

Deepest sympathy to the Andreoli and Griffith families.
I met Dee Dee when I was 18 years old working at Acme doing my level best to fit a cart load of kitty litter and cat food into her Corvette. Her genuine kindness to people working jobs that are often invisible to others with her means was appreciated more than words could properly convey. How do I know she was genuine? Because she was like this with everybody. If she didn't know a name, she learned it. She understood hard work and the importance of dignity to those performing it. Once I realized that Mrs. Griffith was her mother, it all made perfect sense. Dee Dee and Debbie were clearly raised by a class act.
When another career opportunity came calling I shared my news with her. She gave me the pep talk of pep talks. Was this the last time I would see her? No, she made sure to stop in on my last day. She gave me a hug and a card with some money because she thought I might need some new clothes to start my job. I'm certain my story is not unique. Dee Dee was unique and those of us who knew her are better for it.
As her philanthropy is rightfully honored. Let us all honor her legacy by learning from her compassion and true decency.

ALICIA WILSON

September 2, 2021

My Prayers goes out to Mr. Andreoli and the Family. She was a ray of sunshine, she will be truly missed.

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Amy Grimm and Marissa Morris

Planted Trees

Chris Felver

September 2, 2021

In loving memory of DeeDee and her love of all creatures great and small.

Karen Gavriloff & Tia Collier

September 1, 2021

Dear Rennick, Debbie & Family,
DeeDee was a lovely person inside and out. My children were blessed to model for her Store Rock- A-Bye Baby! Being on the Morning Exchange was so very special but being with DeeDee was the BEST! She always had a smile and unconditional love, even when I put the wrong outfit on my son during a Style Show, she looked (and quickly changed the description of the outfit) but never said a word.
We loved her so much. We have so many family pictures of DeeDee celebrating birthdays with our children. We were so blessed!
Love & Prayers

Sally Atwood (Mitzel)

September 1, 2021

The world will not be as bright without DeeDee. So blessed to have had my life touched by her and the lasting impression she made. I had the pleasure of working for DeeDee thru my college years and after, it never seemed like work but always a fun time, not even realizing i was learning so much. My mom(Getrie) work at a gift shop at the Hilton and was so very fond of both Rennick and DeeDee. I have to share a little example of what DeeDee brought to the world... when working for DeeDee at Rock a bye baby, a young woman came in before going to a baby shower held at Quaker Square Hilton. It was obvious the lady felt out of place and even acting a little embarrassed. She confided in DeeDee that she only had $10 and didn't know if there was anything she could buy. DeeDee walked her around the store and spending time with her. She told the lady she wanted to show her one of her favorite items. It was the cutest sleeper.(Everything in DeeDee shop was over the top adorable !) DeeDee told the lady she thought it would be perfect. The lady was nervous about how much it was..DeeDee took it up to the desk, pulled it a box and folded tissue paper so nice and put the sleeper in the box.. pulled out wrapping paper and ribbon, walked back around the store and picked up a rattle, tied it with the ribbon and tied it on the wrapped box. Went to the registrar and pushed a bunch of buttons, looked at the lady across the counter and said: Oh, it looks like that comes to $10. The lady let it a sigh of relief, looking at DeeDee and thanked her with the look of appreciation. When the lady left,I said that was so nice of you DeeDee. She just said: Oh you know.... DeeDee not only made the lady's gift look like a million, but made the lady feel like a million...

Sue Borden

September 1, 2021

A great loss to all who loved Dee Dee. She brought sunshine and kindness where ever she went. The world could take a lesson.

Stephanie McMillan

August 31, 2021

On behalf of the entire staff of Bernadettes French Cleaners we send our deepest condolences to the family of Dee Dee. It was an honor and pleasure to serve her for many years. We knew we were going to have a good day if we saw her coming through our door. She radiated an enormous energy that rubbed off on everyone around her. She would come with sweet treats and cold drinks , she declared Thursdays cake days, like clockwork she would come and bring us all individual cakes. We will miss her immensely

jack f dutton

August 30, 2021

what a wonderful lady she will be missed by all who loved her and knew her.

Your Friends at Eastern Pools

August 30, 2021

Please accept our dearest condolences she will Truly be missed by us all. She was always a pleasure to work with!

Michael Hanna

August 30, 2021

Serving you over the years at Fleming´s was an absolute privilege and joy; your smile and kindness will forever warm my heart!!

Bob and Donna(Paridon) Tomayko

August 29, 2021

So sorry to hear about sweet bubbly DeeDee. Always loved being around. Her life was beautiful as expressed in her obituary. Love and prayers

Gayle Gibb

August 29, 2021

I first knew DeeDee through Rock-Bye-Baby. When my daughter was born (after 2 boys) DeeDee was one of the first to greet Lucy. Over the years Lucy and my son, Brian, would model and be on The Morning Exchange with her. She would take Lucy to work with her.
Several years ago my mom was in Sumner. DeeDee would frequently stop by and check on her.
I could go on and on... DeeDee was sunshine, never saw her without a smile.
A life well lived.. Rest In Peace my friend.

Robert Kirkpatrick

August 29, 2021

Our condolences, you will be missed
Robert Kirkatrick

The Dakoski family

August 29, 2021

Our hearts are broken, she meant so much to so many... our hearts and prayer are with you, may family find some peace. Sending love... maybe she will be blessed to run into John III...

Gail Kinzel

August 29, 2021

Dee Dee´s love for animals is legendary. She rescued loads of cats, took them to the vet if necessary and nursed them back to health, all while taking care of her beloved dogs. Truly a Guardian Angel.

Showing 1 - 25 of 25 results

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Memorial Events
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Sep

3

Celebration of Life

The Hilton

3180 W. Market St., OH

Sep

3

Funeral service

11:00 a.m.

St. Hilary Church

2750 West Market Street, Fairlawn, OH

Funeral services provided by:

Hummel Funeral Home & Crematories - Akron

500 East Exchange Street, Akron, OH 44304

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