Dorothea Delight Gavitte Bernhard - Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes & Crematory

Dorothea Delight Gavitte Bernhard

Born May 15, 1924

Dorothea Delight Gavitte Bernhard, age 93, of Newark, DE, died on Saturday, September 30, 2017, at the Millcroft Health Care Facility where she resided.

She spent her life caring for others as a loving wife, sister, daughter, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and nurse. Her gentle kindness touched all who knew her.

Dorothea was born on May 15, 1924 in Halstead, PA, and was the daughter of the late Bruce and Helen (Sandell) Gavitte. She graduated from Staten Island Hospital School of Nursing in 1945. Dorothea enjoyed her nursing career, working first in the operating room at Marine Hospital in Staten Island, NY until 1949, and from 1954 until her retirement in 1986, on the maternity and medical floors, in the operating room, and in central supply at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ. She balanced this career while raising her family and taking care of her aging in-laws and mother.

Dorothea was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Newark, DE, where she served as a Deacon and Stephen Minister. She was also an active member of the Presbyterian Women’s Association and formerly served as a volunteer for the Chaplain’s Office at Christiana Hospital.

In addition to her parents, Dorothea was preceded in death by her loving husband of 50 years, Herbert F. Bernhard, who died in 1997; and siblings, Sydney and Carolyn Gavitte. She is survived by her 4 daughters and sons-in-law, Lorraine and Harvey Conner, Barbara and Steven Scharf, Debra and Vincent McShane, and Cyndi and Steven Sorci; 9 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; sister, Ruth Carey Rimback; and brother, Donald Gavitte.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, October 9, 2017, at the First Presbyterian Church of Newark, 292 West Main Street, Newark, DE 19711, where a reception will follow the memorial service. Interment will be held privately in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear, DE.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the First Presbyterian Church of Newark at the address listed above or to the Alzheimer Association, 399 Market Street, Ste. 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

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4 Condolences for Dorothea Delight Gavitte Bernhard

  • My heart is with all of you who she so dearly loved. She leaves a wonderful legacy in her daughters.

  • I have so many fond memories of my Aunt Dot. I will always remember her smile and how much she cared about my health. Lots of great times playing in the basement of the house in Ramsey. RIP Aunt Dot. ❤️ -Donny Peter

  • Thoughts and love to ALL of Dot’s family. Betty and I would be there if able.
    Dot was the sweetest and caring lady we know.
    With Love, Carole and Betty

  • My Mom Bette Pierce and Dorthea were friends and went to the same Church until my Mom passed in 2002. She was the one that told me my Mom was in the hospital and then passed away. My Mom was taking me to my chemo treatments when she passed. Dot and a few women from Church took.over taking me to the rest of my treatments. She was a good friend.