Obituaries
Obituary for Dorothy "Dottie" Bohan
Dorothy “Dottie” Bohan, 90 passed away peacefully surrounded by family at OSF Hospital in Peoria at 8:48PM, Saturday, August 26, 2017. She was beloved of all who were fortunate to know her wisdom and example.
She was born Dorothy Seeds on June, 18, 1927, at OSF St. Francis Hospital in Peoria to Louis Seeds and Lena Hafner. Dorothy went to St. Bernard's Grade School and then Woodruff High School, where she played cello in the high school orchestra. Right after high school, she went on an extended trip with her sister Ruth to New Orleans, living there for three months. Dorothy came back to Peoria and got a job. However, she never lost that exploring spirit, canoeing and camping on the Illinois River with her sister Ruth Riley Seeds.
She worked at Jacquin’s Book Store in Peoria from 1944 until 1949. There she met her future husband, William, who was attending college at Bradley and came in to buy books. The story is that she invited Bill to come to her house to see their Christmas tree, in February. Bill and Dorothy got married in 1948. The 1950s and 1960s saw the couple raising three sons on Republic Street in the East Bluff where they also attended Saint Bernard’s Grade School, all three going on to Spalding High School. Tragically, their son Patrick was killed in the Vietnam War in 1970.
Through most of her life, Dorothy was a passionate ceramist creating 1000s of beautiful pieces, which she gave away. She shared this passion with her students in a ceramics studio in the basement of their home. In 2003, she and her husband moved to St. Augustine Manor where she recreated her ceramics studio in 3 vacant rooms in the basement continuing to teach and produce beautiful art until the Spring of this year. On April 24, 2011 News 25 aired Ceramics at Saint Augustine, a video report produced by Anna Yee, where Dorothy described ceramics as meditation.
Dorothy was an example and inspiration to nearly all who het her. Her most profound quality may have been her Joy. No matter what the circumstances, often DESPITE the circumstances, she was filled with joy, which just spilled over onto anyone in her presence.
Dorothy worked as maid for Gamma Phi Beta sorority at Bradley University, in 1970. She also worked as a janitor for First Federal Savings in Peoria, around the same time.
Dorothy was active in St. Bernard's Church, the St. Bernard's Church Mother's Club, Daughters of Isabella, Christian Family Movement, Y.W.C.A., Cursillo, Marriage Encounter, Retorno, and Catholic Women's League. She volunteered at the Crittenton Center Crisis Nursery. She and her husband were on the team for a Marriage Encounter for Retirees.
A high point in Bill and Dorothy’s life was when they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1998 with a party at the Apollo Theatre. Bill passed away in 2011.
Dorothy is survived by her sons Dan (Carol) Bohan of Peoria and Tim (Elaine) Bohan of San Francisco; her grandchildren, Melanie (Jim) Owens of Canton, Steve (Kristina) Bohan of Peoria, Chris (Cassie) Bohan of Morton, Lisa Long (Dale Allen) of Hanna City, Louis Bohan of Taiwan, Evelyn Bohan of San Francisco, and Josh, Kevin, and Sarah Bohan, all of Peoria; plus ten great-grandchildren.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, brother Robert Seeds, sister Ruth Riley, and son Patrick Bohan.
Visitation will be held 5:00 – 7:00 PM, Thursday, August 31, 2017 at Wright & Salmon Mortuary, with a recitation of the rosary at 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 AM on Friday, September 1, 2017 at St. Bernard Church, with a half hour prior visitation. Fr. James Pankiewicz will officiate. Burial of Ashes will be at Resurrection Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be made to St. Augustine Manor, 1301 NE Glendale Ave, Peoria, IL 61603.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com
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She was born Dorothy Seeds on June, 18, 1927, at OSF St. Francis Hospital in Peoria to Louis Seeds and Lena Hafner. Dorothy went to St. Bernard's Grade School and then Woodruff High School, where she played cello in the high school orchestra. Right after high school, she went on an extended trip with her sister Ruth to New Orleans, living there for three months. Dorothy came back to Peoria and got a job. However, she never lost that exploring spirit, canoeing and camping on the Illinois River with her sister Ruth Riley Seeds.
She worked at Jacquin’s Book Store in Peoria from 1944 until 1949. There she met her future husband, William, who was attending college at Bradley and came in to buy books. The story is that she invited Bill to come to her house to see their Christmas tree, in February. Bill and Dorothy got married in 1948. The 1950s and 1960s saw the couple raising three sons on Republic Street in the East Bluff where they also attended Saint Bernard’s Grade School, all three going on to Spalding High School. Tragically, their son Patrick was killed in the Vietnam War in 1970.
Through most of her life, Dorothy was a passionate ceramist creating 1000s of beautiful pieces, which she gave away. She shared this passion with her students in a ceramics studio in the basement of their home. In 2003, she and her husband moved to St. Augustine Manor where she recreated her ceramics studio in 3 vacant rooms in the basement continuing to teach and produce beautiful art until the Spring of this year. On April 24, 2011 News 25 aired Ceramics at Saint Augustine, a video report produced by Anna Yee, where Dorothy described ceramics as meditation.
Dorothy was an example and inspiration to nearly all who het her. Her most profound quality may have been her Joy. No matter what the circumstances, often DESPITE the circumstances, she was filled with joy, which just spilled over onto anyone in her presence.
Dorothy worked as maid for Gamma Phi Beta sorority at Bradley University, in 1970. She also worked as a janitor for First Federal Savings in Peoria, around the same time.
Dorothy was active in St. Bernard's Church, the St. Bernard's Church Mother's Club, Daughters of Isabella, Christian Family Movement, Y.W.C.A., Cursillo, Marriage Encounter, Retorno, and Catholic Women's League. She volunteered at the Crittenton Center Crisis Nursery. She and her husband were on the team for a Marriage Encounter for Retirees.
A high point in Bill and Dorothy’s life was when they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1998 with a party at the Apollo Theatre. Bill passed away in 2011.
Dorothy is survived by her sons Dan (Carol) Bohan of Peoria and Tim (Elaine) Bohan of San Francisco; her grandchildren, Melanie (Jim) Owens of Canton, Steve (Kristina) Bohan of Peoria, Chris (Cassie) Bohan of Morton, Lisa Long (Dale Allen) of Hanna City, Louis Bohan of Taiwan, Evelyn Bohan of San Francisco, and Josh, Kevin, and Sarah Bohan, all of Peoria; plus ten great-grandchildren.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, brother Robert Seeds, sister Ruth Riley, and son Patrick Bohan.
Visitation will be held 5:00 – 7:00 PM, Thursday, August 31, 2017 at Wright & Salmon Mortuary, with a recitation of the rosary at 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 AM on Friday, September 1, 2017 at St. Bernard Church, with a half hour prior visitation. Fr. James Pankiewicz will officiate. Burial of Ashes will be at Resurrection Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be made to St. Augustine Manor, 1301 NE Glendale Ave, Peoria, IL 61603.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com
Previous Events
Visitation
Thursday
31
Aug
5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Wright & Salmon Mortuary
2416 N North St
Peoria, IL 61604
Visitation
Friday
1
Sep
9:30 AM
- 10:00 AM
St. Bernard Catholic Church
509 E Kansas
Peoria, IL 61603
Funeral Mass
Friday
1
Sep
10:00 AM
St. Bernard Catholic Church
509 E Kansas
Peoria, IL 61603
Memorial Contribution
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