Dorothy “Dolly” E. Erickson Clark, 97, of Columbia, MO, formerly of Berva Drive, Bradford passed away Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at the South Hampton Place, Columbia MO.
Dolly was born June 17, 1921 at Change Islands, Newfoundland, now a part of a province of Canada, but at the time Newfoundland was a dominion of Great Britain. She was the eldest child of William Robert Butler and Gertrude Emily (English) Butler. Known by all her friends as “Dolly”, Dorothy’s siblings included Margaret (Peg) Mulock Hollett (deceased), William Robert English Butler (deceased), and Reginald Hearder Butler. Her father was a minister and her mother a nurse, so Dolly’s earliest memories were of the challenges of shepherding her rambunctious younger siblings when Dad and Mom were pursuing duties away from home. Frequent reassignments for her father meant life on the move, often in the remote outposts of Newfoundland.
Dolly studied at Memorial University College in St. Johns, Newfoundland where she earned a teaching certificate in June 1940. While teaching at Park Street Public School in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, she met Guy William (Bill) Erickson (deceased), an American soldier stationed in Newfoundland during World War II. The couple fell in love, and Dorothy moved to Warren, Pennsylvania where she and Bill were married August 13, 1946 in Pleasantville. They had two children, Cheryl Margaret Holzwarth (deceased), and David William Erickson. The family relocated to Bradford, Pennsylvania in 1954.
Shortly after the death of her first husband on February 2, 1988, Dolly moved to Columbia, Missouri to be near her son and his family. Several years thereafter, and to everyone’s delight and surprise, Dolly fell in love and married Reverend Charles C. Clark (deceased) of Columbia, Missouri on New Year’s Eve, 1994. Reverend Clark passed away September 7, 1997.
She was a member of the Community United Methodist Church in Columbia, MO, and, while in Bradford, was a longtime member of the West Branch United Methodist Church. She was an avid bowler, reader, and student, and enjoyed knitting and crocheting through much of her life.
Surviving are a brother, Reginald Hearder Butler (spouse Louise), of Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, a son, David W. Erickson (spouse Janice) of Columbia, MO; three grandchildren, Todd Holzwarth (spouse Karen) of Simpsonville, SC, Lindsey Erickson Mahoney (spouse Brian) of Overland Park, KS, and Lori Erickson of Los Angeles, CA; five great-grandchildren, Campbell and Kelsea Holzwarth, and Kieran, James, and Dillon Mahoney, son-in-law, Roy Holzwarth of Wilmington, NC, and numerous nieces and nephews in both the US and Canada.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, one brother, a sister, her grandson, Eric, and her daughter, Cheryl.
Family will be receiving friends on Saturday, October 13, 2018 from 10:00am to 11:00am in the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc., 33 South Ave., at 11:00am funeral services will be held with Rev. Matt Blake, Pastor of the West Branch United Methodist Church officiating, Committal services and burial will follow in Willow Dale Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are welcomed for the Capital Improvements Fund, West Branch United Methodist Church, 605 W. Washington St., Bradford, PA 16701.
On line condolences may be made at www.hollenbeckcahill.com