Dorothy E. (Enghardt) Hanvey

Dorothy E. Hanvey , 86, passed away Monday, November 26, 2012 at IU Health Bloomington Hospital. Her son, Douglas, was at her side. Dorothy was born Dorothy Lillian Enghardt in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania on October 1, 1926 to Frederick and Elizabeth Enghardt (Wirs). Dorothy's enormous reservoir of inner strength carried her through a heartbreaking childhood in which she lost her brothers and both her parents by the age of 12. Recognizing her intelligence and academic promise, one of Dorothy's high school teachers endowed a scholarship that allowed her to attend the University of Pittsburgh, from which she graduated in 1948. She received a Master's in Education in 1950 and a Master's in Library Science from the University of Chicago in 1962. During the 1950's, Dorothy spent time in Japan where she taught elementary school to students of the American military. She then became a flight attendant for TWA, a job which enabled her to explore Mexico, India, Egypt, Israel, and many countries in Europe. Dorothy loved books and reading. In the early 1960's she was the librarian at the University of Chicago Laboratory School. Soon after moving to Bloomington in 1969, she joined the MCCSC school system. She served as the librarian for Unionville and Binford schools until her retirement in 1991. Dorothy was a gifted weaver and quilter, and a founding member of the Bloomington Spinners & Weavers Guild. She also had a love of music, which she passed on to her son Douglas through the gift of violin and piano lessons. She volunteered at Opportunity House for many years and was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church. Dorothy was a warm, vital, magnanimous, and caring spirit as well as a loving and beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. She is survived by her son, Douglas Hanvey, her stepchildren Katy Willard and Michael Hanvey (Jill), her sisters-in-law Nancy Hanvey and Sally Taylor, her grandchildren Jacob (Christina) and David (Jen) Willard, Caitlin and Meg Hanvey, and great-grandchildren Jeff Ziegler and Laura and Molly Willard. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert G. Hanvey, Jr. A memorial service to which friends are invited will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 8, 2012, at the First Presbyterian Church, 221 East 6th Street, Bloomington. Memorial donations may be made to Opportunity House in Bloomington.