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Dorothy Lesniak Obituary
January 9, 1934 - April 3, 2024
Dorothy Burger Lesniak, 90, died peacefully on Wednesday, April 3, at Arbor Acres in Winston-Salem.
The daughter of Joseph and Eleanor Burger, Dottie was born on Jan. 9, 1934, in St. Louis, Missouri. The eldest daughter of seven Burger children, she graduated from The University of Missouri in 1956 with a degree in education and was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Soon after she moved to North Carolina with her first husband, Russell Thomas Simmons. They settled in Winston-Salem, where they raised three children and she taught kindergarten. She loved little children and helping them learn.
Dottie was fun-loving and made friends easily. Kind and compassionate, she loved her family and friends well. And they loved her. She enjoyed singing with The Morning Glories and attending neighborhood Bible studies with her dear friends at The Gables. Later in life she became an adventurous traveler, making several trips abroad with Friendship Force International and hosting families who in turn traveled to the U.S.
Dottie was preceded in death by her second husband, Edward Lesniak, and her son, Stephen Russell Simmons.
She is survived by two daughters, Sharon Simmons McClellan (Steven) of Atlanta and Betsi Simmons Robinson (John) of Greensboro; six grandchildren, Edward Russell McClellan (Hailey) of Floral Park, New York, Katherine McClellan Cade (Frank) of Birmingham, Alabama, Mary Claire McClellan Corrigan (Victor) of Charlottesville, Virginia, Emily Scott Robinson of Ridgeway, Colorado, Caroline Simmons Sibley (Adams) of Chapel Hill, and John Michael Robinson (Lauren) of Brooklyn, New York; and seven great-grandchildren. They all were her delight.
Dottie's family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Arbor Acres who provided such loving care to her over the past 10 years.
A Celebration of Life service for Dottie will be held at a future date.
Affordable Cremations of Winston-Salem
2901 Lyndhurst Ave. Winston-Salem, NC 27103
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3 Entries
Nan Griswold
April 7, 2024
I forgot to add that Dottie was one of the Morning Glories who volunteered at the Second Harvest Food Bank NWNC to help with mailings and sang at our volunteer events. Special ladies and I miss seeing them.
Marcia Cox
April 7, 2024
I taught with Dottie at Sherwood Frest Elementary years ago. What a great teacher and lovely, fun person she was. Dottie was always happy , smiling and just wonderful. I'm so sorry she's gone from her loved ones. I know you'll miss her.
Marcia Cox
Nan Griswold
April 7, 2024
I remember Dottie when George and I lived at the Gables for 15 years and then we moved to Salemtowne. Such a wonderful neighborhood. We often got together for events. I miss my neighbors at the Gables. Dottie, always such a beautiful smile and such a lovely person. Sending my sympathy and prayers to the family. Nan Griswold formerly at 509 Claridge Circle
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