For Dorothy Desch, family was life.
On Saturday, November 8, 2025, Dorothy Clark Desch passed away peacefully at her home in Horsham, PA. Wife of the late Thomas Desch and daughter of the late Alexander and Aileen (O’Donoghue) Clark, Dorothy will be lovingly remembered by her children Deborah (John) Marble, Valerie (Chris) Fasy, Thomas Stuart (Nicole), Maryann (Tim) Nikander, Joseph, Jane (the late Brian) Donohue, Monica (Kevin) Sheets and Pamela (predeceased); her 24 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Born May 17, 1937, in Tampa, FL, Dorothy was an independent child (taking her first solo train ride at age 5), a lover of books, music, and travel, and a determined student. A graduate of Mt. Aloysius Academy, she earned a four-year scholarship to study chemical engineering at Duquesne University (a high achievement for a young woman in STEM in 1955). After two years of college, Dorothy’s dream of a big family led her to leave school (she would later finish her degree at Temple University) and marry Tom, her loving partner of 61 years. Together, they traveled the world, across five continents, but their greatest adventure was in raising their seven children.
A devoted Catholic, Dorothy was an active member of her parish and loved to sing in the choir. She strived to follow the motto: “Be grateful for all you have and keep going.”
Dorothy treasured her relationships, making decades-long friendships and connecting with relatives around the globe, from the Isle of Jersey to the hills of Uruguay. Dorothy loved to gather with friends and family, believing that good food was always better with good company.
Dorothy lived her life faithfully, with an adventurous spirit and a generous heart. Of all her accomplishments, she considered her children to be her true legacy.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing Friday, November 14, 2025 from 9-10:15 AM followed by her funeral mass at 10:30am at Immaculate Conception BVM Church, 604 West Ave. Jenkintown, PA. Her interment will be held at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations to ALS United https://alsmidatlantic.org/ways-to-give/
Service entrusted to the Joseph J. McGoldrick Funeral Home, Jenkintown, PA. Condolences: www.McGoldrickFH.com
Make a donation to one of the following charities in remembrance of Dorothy Desch
