Dorothea Alice (Snellbaker) McGarvey

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Dorothea (Dot) McGarvey, our loving and devoted mother and friend to all whose lives she touched, January 5, 2021.  Dot was born 9/11/1927 to John and Edna Mae Snellbaker.  She left us while sleeping peacefully at her residence in Genacross.   She was in her 93rd year.

Born in Philadelphia, she was the oldest daughter of a large family. Tragically, her mother died when she was 14 and Dot assumed the role of caretaker for her family.  She loved to dance the jitterbug and became a buyer for Snellenberg’s department store where she met her loving husband, Edward McGarvey.

Dot and Ed raised five children while living in Drexel Hill. Pa.  She was beloved by her neighbors, family and friends and was admired for her devotion to her family.  The family moved to Toledo in the early seventies where Dot became a beloved figure to a large extended family of friends and neighbors.

Dot and Ed moved to Aurora, Illinois in the late seventies, raising their daughters. Dot worked for Ann Marie’s Boutique in Aurora for many years selling women’s’ clothing. She then continued her career in retail as the Bridal Consultant at Carson- Pirie-Scott for several years before she retired. She kept busy while retired; spending each day with her granddaughters who cherish that time they were given.

She touched many people along the way and was loved by all who knew her.  Dot loved to travel and visited her children and grandchildren often. She traveled to Ireland with friends, a trip of a lifetime.  She also traveled to Australia and New Zealand; a highlight of the trip was staying at a working sheep ranch.  An 80th birthday trip to Rome and an audience with the Pope, was a dream come true.

After the death of our father, Dot moved back to Toledo and quickly became a central figure  in the McGarvey/Schmit annual Thanksgiving reunion celebrations.  Her cheese pies were legendary and many family members have mastered the art of baking them. A cheese pie baking contest is scheduled for next Thanksgiving in her honor.

She is survived by Edward McGarvey and wife Marycatherine, Mark McGarvey and wife Janet, Gerald McGarvey and wife Toni, Maryalice Lundquist and husband Dave, and Bernadette Howe and husband Tony andher beloved grandchildren ,Patrick, Regan, Jessica, Colleen, Kevin, Lauren, Allie, Kelli, Nicki, Samantha, Charlie, Beau, Harley and Sean and  beloved great grandchildren, Violet, Molly, Leo, Miles, Anthony, Donovan and Avery.  She is also survived by her brother Charles Snellbaker..

She was known as G Dot (Grandma Dot)  especially to Derek Long, Greg, Calvin, and Lydia Schmit, Tyler and Jake Kratzman, Lannie and Tyson Karras, and Taylor Gibson Cobb.

Predeceased by her devoted husband Edward McGarvey, sister Gladys and Edna May, brothers John, Dan, Edward, and Robert.

She was an accomplished, formally trained, seamstress and made many wedding dresses, prom dresses, and outfits for her family and friends.  She lovingly sewed blankets for her grand and great grand children which many of them still have and cherish to this day.  She was also known as the ‘baby whisperer” as she was able to soothe the most difficult babies.

Most of all she loved her family and instilled in her children strong values that have served them well. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Memorial tributes may be made to Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank 24 East Woodruff Avenue Toledo, Ohio 43604,Web Site  https://www.toledofoodbank.org.

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