Dorothy Lorraine Henderson, 80, of Allenton, MI went home to be with the Lord and her family on Thursday, March 26, 2020. Dorothy was born on May 13, 1939 at home in Allenton, MI.
Dorothy grew up and lived her entire life in the small farming community just outside Almont, MI. Dorothy married Craig Henderson on August 20, 1967. They produced three children while working the Henderson dairy farm together for more than 30 years. In her youth, Dorothy could be found riding horses and climbing trees with her best childhood friend, Jean Ligon. She maintained a close relationship with Jean for more than 70 years. An excellent marksman, Dorothy also had a collection of guns/shot guns, which she had since passed on to one of her grandsons. Although Dorothy had many childhood interests and hobbies, she was truly the happiest when she was surrounded by and engaging with her family of origin. She was always quick to point out that the love, support and kinship she had with her parents and siblings had sustained her more than once over the years. They were, in short, the shoulders upon which she stood. She loved each one of them beyond measure and she carried them with her every day, until the moment she was called home. A pioneer in the field of dentistry, Dorothy worked for more than 25 years at the (now closed) Almont Dental Center with her dearest friend, Dr. Kathleen Wells –they maintained their close relationship right up until Dorothy’s passing. Like her mother before her, Dorothy made everything special and beautiful. You could find her in her kitchen baking fresh bread or in her butterfly garden feeding her birds. A true animal lover, she was the loving custodian of every bird, fish, dog or cat that her children or grandchildren dragged home. A patient and loving friend, Dorothy’s friendships were for life. Dorothy met one of her closet friends, Elaine Killingbeck, when she was just 16 years old. Partners in crime, they saw each other through the sun and rain – good times and bad. They were an example of what it meant to bear loving witness to someone else’s journey. Above all else, Dorothy defined herself by the love and protection she gave to her children and to her grandchildren. Her grandchildren were the epicenter of her world. There wasn’t a day that went by that she didn’t think about or concern herself with their well-being. She made it her life’s work to ensure that they understood how loved and truly valuable they were. Ever patient and willing to forgive, Dorothy led by example. Even in the face of the various traumas she had endured, especially in her advancing years, she still always chose love – and she always urged others to do the same. She was quick to point out that fear, anger or resentment came at too high a cost.
Dorothy is survived by her husband, Craig Henderson; three daughters, Anna Kristie (Matthew) Lohmeier of Rochester, MI, Liane Lucille (Todd) Amama of Allenton, MI and Nora Marie (Rick) Casorio of Allenton, MI; her precious grandchildren, Tayler Casorio, Brendan Casorio, Jared Casorio and Christian Casorio; and her brother, Dan (Gayle) Jones, Allenton, MI
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Anna and Meldon Jones; two brothers, Lee Jones and Meldon Jones; and one sister, Laurel McCready.
A celebration of life will be held this summer.
Arrangements were entrusted to Muir Brothers Funeral Home in Almont. To leave a condolence or memory please visit www.MuirBrothers.com.
