Dorothy (McElwain) Will

Dorothy (McElwain) Will, 92, of Jamesville, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2015 at St. Joseph’s Hospital surrounded by her loving family. Dottie was a graduate of Syracuse University and a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. An active and involved person, she was a Certified Braillist by the Library of Congress, Directress of the Altar Guild at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in North Syracuse, a member of the Volunteer Center of Syracuse, The Junior League of Syracuse, The Constantia Library Guild and she had also been an Assistant Girl Scout Leader. Dottie’s family will always treasure her memory. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother whose love and caring for her family was deep and unwavering. Her reward was feeling the love that was returned to her and knowing that her family was just as loving toward one another. Holidays were always a special time for her and she went above and beyond the call to create lasting memories of those occasions. She will be forever remembered leading the annual singing of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” and for always being able to perform the best cartwheel at family parties. Ensuring that everyone went home smiling gave her great fulfillment and in spite of the sadness brought by loss, her family will continue to wear those smiles. The family would like to offer a special “Thank You” to the staff of The Nottingham and St. Joseph’s Hospital for the tender and loving care they gave to Dottie. She was predeceased by her parents, Clifford and Metta (Hughes) McElwain and her brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Jack and Kelly McElwain. Dottie is survived by her loving husband of 70 years, Richard L. Will; her two sons, Eric W. (Joyce) Will II, and Richard L. (Gloria) Will, Jr., her grandchildren, Julie (Joseph) Cannizzo, Robert A. (De Anne) Will, Eric W. (Kelly) Will III, and Lindsay E. (Courtney) Wilson; her 12 great-grandchildren, Francis, Mia, Talia, Isabella and Will Cannizzo, Avery, Henry and Harper Will, Clara Will, Charlotte, Caroline and Finlay Wilson. Also surviving are her four nieces, Wendy (Edward) Lewis, Susan (William) Winstanley, Donna (Glenn) Helder, and Valerie Flynn, along with several grand-nieces, grand-nephews and cousins. A Funeral Service in celebration of Dottie’s life will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2015 at 6:00 PM in the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME. A private entombment will be held at the convenience of the family. Family and Friends may call at the funeral home, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.), North Syracuse on Thursday from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

Dorothy (McElwain) Will

June 20, 1923 - October 20, 2015