Dorothy Marie (Cook) Frey

Dorothy Marie (Cook) Frey, 90, a resident of Lombard, Illinois and a former resident of Battle Creek passed away on November 6 under the care of hospice at her assisted living facility. She had been in the care of hospice for 8 weeks.

Dorothy was born on March 26, 1931 in Lake Odessa to Grover and Reva (Watkins) Cook. She graduated from Lakewood High School in 1949. Dorothy graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science Degree and Elementary Teaching Certificate in 1953. She was a life member of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority and a life member of Psi Chi, a National Honorary Psychology Society. Dorothy began her teaching career with the Battle Creek Public Schools in September 1953. She taught full or part-time for twenty years in the Battle Creek Public Schools, Lakeview School District, and Woodlawn Preschool.

Dorothy and C. James "Jim" Frey were united in marriage at Kanley Chapel at Western Michigan University on August 21, 1954. They celebrated 65 years of marriage in August 2019. Jim passed away on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2019. Dorothy is survived by daughters, Kandi (Ron) Snodgrass of Dublin, Ohio and Julie (Ron) Whitney of Granite Bay, California, and son Douglas (Mary) Frey of Downers Grove, Illinois; granddaughters Jamie Snodgrass and Alex Frey; grandsons, Jonathan Whitney and Eric Frey; sister Marilyn Nicholson of Battle Creek; and brother-in-law Louis Frey of Battle Creek. Dorothy was predeceased by her parents Grover and Reva, sister Charlotte Sumney, twin brothers Robert and Richard, and brother Don.

Jim and Dorothy joined the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in 1958, where she was a Sunday School teacher and a member of the Women's Fellowship. She was a member of the Susanna Winslow-Ruth Vore Circle, which made the famous steamed Plum Puddings as a fund-raiser during the holiday season. Dorothy served on the Battle Creek Town Hall Celebrity Series Board for two terms, holding the offices of President and Treasurer. Dorothy was an active member of several local and national philanthropic organizations. During the years that her children attended school she was active in the Parent Teacher Association at Urbandale Elementary, Northwestern Junior High, Westlake Elementary, Woodrow Junior High, and Lakeview High. Dorothy was a member of the Lakeview Band Boosters for several years and held the office of co-Treasurer for five years. She was involved with the Lakeview Sports Boosters Program. She was a contributing member to the Art Center of Battle Creek and active on the Art Center League Board of Directors from 1982-1994. She headed numerous committees and was also President of the Board. In 1991 she was recognized as the Art Center's "Outstanding Volunteer". Dorothy and Jim were past members of the Battle Creek Country Club and the Athelstan Club. They were life members of Binder Park Zoo. They hosted several foreign exchange students over the years. Dorothy was a member of the Literacy Council of Calhoun County and served as a volunteer tutor in reading for several years. In 1998, Dorothy successfully fought breast cancer.

Jim and Dorothy followed Doug's family to Omaha, Nebraska in 2001. In 2012, they all moved to the Chicago area. Dorothy received pleasure caring for her family members and serving mankind, cooking, reading, traveling in the United States and internationally, gardening, meticulous care of house plants, handicrafts, knitting, and a wide circle of friends. She was a very kind person. Dorothy was a loving mother and grandmother. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Dorothy's family will receive friends 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 13, 2021 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. A memorial service will be held 12:00 noon Monday, December 13, 2021 at Fort Custer National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the charity of one's choice. Personal messages for Dorothy's family may be placed above in the Memory Book at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.