Dorothy Ann Vowels' Obituary
Dorothy Ann Vowels
June 11, 1933 – March 16, 2026
Obituary
Dorothy Ann Foster Vowels, 92, of Dover, Delaware, died peacefully on March 16, 2026 at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford, Delaware. She was born in Warrenton, Virginia on June 11, 1933 to the late Amanda (Butler) and Wade Hamilton Foster.
Dorothy’s was a life of service to God, her family, and her country, and to the countless friends, patients, colleagues, and strangers who crossed her path. She was an Air Force wife who moved her family several times around the United States along with one tour in Japan before settling in Dover. Dorothy became a member of the Presbyterian Church of Dover, served as a Deacon and Ruling Elder, and represented the New Castle Presbytery at the 1996 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly. She also served on the Presbytery’s Speer Trust Commission supporting community health and social services in Delaware and parts of Maryland. Dorothy was employed by Kent General Hospital (later Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus), and retired as a Certified Nursing Assistant after 36 years. Because of her devotion to her patients, Dorothy was presented with the hospital’s John B. Wallace Award of Excellence for Outstanding Service. She also contributed to the success of the hospital through service on the Kent General Foundation Board, the 5-Star Customer Service Project, and many annual Health Fairs.
Dorothy’s wide range of interests included gardening, line dancing, aerobics, traveling both abroad and in the United States, reading, and listening to classical music. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by her husband, Chief Master Sgt. Milton Russell Vowels, she is survived by her daughters, Dr. Susan Amanda Vowels of Dover, Delaware, and Karen Lucille Vowels Earle (Patrick) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; four grandchildren, Susan Foster Earle (Travis Reese) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Grace Elizabeth Earle (Michael Kleiman), Jane Ellen Piñon (Eric), and Lydia Alice Earle (Lela Grant) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; ten great grandchildren, Isaac, Nora, Miles, and Henry Earle Reese of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Wade Earle Kleiman of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Charles, Maximo, Sofía, María, and Luca Piñon of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; five sisters, Jane Brewer of Emeryville, California, Alice Clark of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Margaret Edwards of San Francisco, California, Nancy Foster of Round Rock, Texas, and Niamani Mutima of Warrenton, Virginia; two brothers, James Foster of Danville, California and Stephen Allen Foster of Midland, Virginia; several nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and many dear friends.
A private burial service was held at the Sharon Hills Memorial Park on March 27, 2026. The family plans a Celebration of Life to be held June 13, 2026 at the Presbyterian Church of Dover, 54 S. State St., Dover.
For those wishing to honor her memory, the family suggests contributions to the Presbyterian Church’s Community Assistance Fund in her name or a charity of the donor’s choice.
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