Mary Alice Dodd, 92,
a woman of great strength and indomitable spirit, died peacefully at Holy Spirit Hospital on January 30, her children at her
side. Born July 21, 1921, the youngest child of William A. and Jennie (Morton) McFadden, she grew up in
Chester County, Pennsylvania. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 66 years, William H. Dodd, in 2009, and by her
siblings, Carl and William McFadden and Laura M. Fulton.
Mary was a long-time
member of Allison United Methodist Church, where she served in leadership roles with the Administrative Board, the United
Methodist Women, and numerous committees, including Social Concerns, Missions, Evangelism, and Staff-Parish Relations. She
also was active in community groups, including the Carlisle Civic Club, the YWCA, the local chapter of Meals on Wheels, and
P.E.O., a philanthropic educational organization that helps women further their educations.
Mary was an avid gardener,
bird watcher, and animal lover who reveled in "country living" and taking care of her family. While raising four
children, she was a Cub Scout den mother, Girl Scout leader, president of the South Middleton Township P.T.A., member of the
Carlisle High School Band Boosters, board member of The Carlisle Day Care Center, and a Braille transcriber.
In 2001, The Dickinson
School of Law Alumni Association honored Mary as "a most worthy recipient" of its Honorary Alumna Award for "her
years of active service" to The Dickinson School of Law community. A strong supporter of her husband's service to
the Law School and a friend to many students and alumni, she was an active member and leader of the Dickinson Law Wives for
many years.
Mary is survived by her children: William H.
Dodd, Jr. and Stephen M. Dodd of Carlisle; Beverly D. Dougherty of Murrells Inlet, SC, and David R. Dodd of Pittsburgh; and
by two grandchildren: Lauren E. Dodd of Palm Beach, FL and Allison M. Dodd of New York City.
A memorial service will be
held on Tuesday, February 4, 2014, at 1:45 p.m. in the Ewing Brothers Funeral Home, 630 S. Hanover St., Carlisle, with Rev.
Dr. Paul L. Herring officiating. Private burial will follow at Cumberland Valley Memorial Gardens, Carlisle.
A visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until time of services at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers,
memorials can be made to Carlisle United Methodist Church, 45 S. West St, Carlisle, PA 17013.