Dorothy Edwards

Dorothy Marie Edwards

The Villages - Dorothy Marie Edwards, 95, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2020 in Ocala, Florida. Dorothy was born January 13, 1925 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Joseph and Leona Deisinger.  She is predeceased by her two husbands, Theodore Golembeski (d. 1977) and Sherman Edwards (d. 1999).

She is survived by her children: Dorothy Tague, David Golembeski, Janice Holderness; Step-son Jeff Edwards; and her sisters Madeline Helfer (Village resident) and Thelma Carabajal (Oxnard, CA).  Dorothy was very proud of all eight of her grandchildren: Dylan Holderness, Alex Holderness, Leah Leach, Ashley Maines, Samantha Edwards, Chris Edwards, Dana Manatos, and Mark Edwards.  Dorothy was also blessed with 12 great-grandchildren.

Dorothy always had an incredible work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit since high school.   Shortly after WWII while married to her first husband, Theodore, she became the first woman butcher hired by civil service.  She later went on to own and manage a chicken farm with over 2,000 chickens which she butchered and sold daily.   Her next career led her to being the managing hostess at Edgewood Country Club; and for the next 27 years the bookkeeper for Watts Brothers Tool and Die company in Wilmerding, PA.  While working for Watts Brother’s she started a candy business in the basement of her home as a hobby which quickly expanded into her first store and later merged with her second husband Sherman’s candy store creating Sherm Edwards Candies in Trafford, PA.  Dorothy and Sherm happily owned and operated their successful chocolate factory and three retail stores employing 25 people for over 25 years.

Dorothy was 76 when she retired from the candy business and in October 2001 she moved to The Villages where she was active in The Red Hats and enjoyed playing Bridge, Poker and Pinochle.  Dorothy was also a wonderful hostess and who loved to entertain.  Everyone was welcomed at her home and many Villagers can attest to sharing wonderful holiday meals at her home that created lasting memories for family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2020 at St Marks Catholic Church located on Route 42 in Summerfield followed by a reception at Dorothy’s house at 1362 Shorewood Street, in the Villages until 1:00 P.M.

Those wanting to make a gift in Dorothy’s memory can donate to The City Life Church, 3301 South 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145; pastored by her eldest granddaughter Leah and her husband Brad Leach.