Dorothy Ann (Makedonsky) Ely

Dorothy Ann (Makedonsky) Ely, 81, passed away on Monday, November 20, 2023, in Grant Township, Michigan after a long illness.

Dorothy was born April 25, 1942, in Port Huron, Michigan, to James and Mary (Mittoff) Makedonsky. She grew up in Sparlingville (now Kimball Township), Michigan and Port Huron, graduating from Port Huron High School in 1960 and Port Huron Junior College (now St. Clair County Community College) in 1962.

After living in various communities in southeast Michigan, she returned to Port Huron in 1971 with her then husband, Edward Allan Ely, to buy and run the Satellite Bar. In 1977, Dorothy took a position as a retail clerk and cashier, becoming known as “Dorothy at Mary Maxim” until her retirement in 2011. Later, “Grandma Dorothy” volunteered through the Foster Grandparent Program to assist kindergarten classes at Michigamme and Keewahdin schools.

A skilled crafter and seamstress, Dorothy provided many store models for Mary Maxim, mostly in crewel embroidery, counted cross-stitch, dollmaking, knitting and crocheting, and basket weaving. She occasionally taught left-handed crochet and basket weaving classes at the store. She loved going to lunch with high school friends.

Dorothy is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Ann “Beth” Ely of Port Huron and Susan Lynne “Susy” (Marshall) Werst of Newark, Texas; longtime companion, John Hooper of Marysville, Michigan; brothers-in-law, John Clark of Austin, Texas and Larry Tenbusch of Merritt Island, Florida; three nieces and one nephew and their children; and dear friends and other family members. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Mary Jean “Jeanie” (John) Clark of Scottsdale, Arizona and Barbara Dale (Larry) Tenbusch of Merritt Island, Florida; and her parents, James and Mary Makedonsky.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 10, 2023 in Faith Lutheran Church.

Arrangements are by Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home. To send condolences, visit karrersimpson.com