Dora Cecelia Dennison, 88

December 04, 2025

Dora Cecelia Dennison, 88, of Lancaster, entered into rest on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Lancaster General Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Robert E. and Sophia M. (Sedgwick) Dennison.

Though small in stature, Dora was a true giant in the lives of all who knew her—the steady anchor of her family and the living definition of love in action. Every morning began with her on her knees, thanking God for another day, a testament to her deep and abiding faith. A devoted member of Bethel AME Church, Dora’s life was a living reflection of God’s love—the kind of pure, selfless, radiant love that could only come from a woman who truly understood what it meant to serve, to give, and to lift others up simply because that’s who she was.

A hardworking woman who gave her all, Dora spent more than 40 years at RCA, now Burle Industries. She never cut corners, and she certainly never short-cut life. A woman of her word—strong yet kind, disciplined yet deeply generous—Dora was a mother not only to her children, but to her community. Her servant’s heart meant she would do anything for anyone in need. If there was a fundraiser her children or grandchildren were involved in, you could trust Nan to champion the cause; she made sure they never went without.

Her home wasn’t just a house—it was the beating heart of the family. Birthdays, Easter mornings with every grandkid dressed to the nines after trips to Boscov’s, after-church Sunday dinners, football games, and Super Bowl parties—Dora made sure her home was everyone’s home. You could always count on her famous potato salad at any function, and when family came to visit, there was always a pan of chicken and rice in the oven, made with love.

A proud Philadelphia Eagles fan, Dora loved football and could often be found leading the football pools at Joe Capps. She was always impeccably dressed—her closets overflowing with clothes, shoes, purses, and wigs and she never left the house without her signature red lipstick and sunglasses.

She loved fiercely—not always through elaborate words, but through her unwavering presence, her tireless care, and the countless quiet actions that spoke louder than anything she could say.

Saturdays meant trips to Central Market, where she’d sample grapes before buying them, much to her grandkids’ playful dismay (“Nan, you can’t do that!”). Sundays smelled like her dried beef gravy. Every single day, she read the Lancaster newspaper from front to back, and everyone who crossed her path remembered her warmth, her sharp wit, and her generous spirit.
Her legacy lives on through her family—in their mannerisms, their voices, and the way they love one another.

There will NEVER be another Dora D. Her strength, her style, her faith, and her love were one of a kind, and the space she filled in this world can never be replaced. Her family takes comfort knowing she is at peace and reunited with her loved ones. As Dora often reminded those she loved, “We plan and God unplans”—a truth now deeply felt in her passing, as our plans to keep her with us were gently undone by God’s plan to call her home.

We honor you today and always. Our love for you knows no end, and words will never be enough to capture the depth of your impact on our lives.

She was preceded in death by her beloved siblings Mary A. Wickenheiser, Lewis S. Dennison, Granville P. Dennison, Helen M. Dixon, Raymond L. Dennison, Ida E. White, Margaret L. Watson, Christine M. Culbreath, Shirley S. Wright, Agnes R. and Joseph L. Dennison, Kathryn A. Boyer, and her goddaughter, Devon. God has truly smiled on her, and we are grateful for His covering over her 88 years. She went in peace, right behind her dear sister Margie.

Dora is survived by her children: Migdalia R., wife of Alvin Blakely; Kim M. Dennison; Monica F. Dennison, wife of Lawrence Williams; and Michael S., husband of Stephanie L. Dennison. She is also lovingly remembered by her grandchildren Fidel Sr. (Wife: Candice), Kaylah, Brittany, Sharinna, Brianna, Kiersten, Malana, Michael, Marcus, and Mariana; great-grandchildren Dimitrius, Jacinda, Dorian, Fidel Jr., Samirah, Yasmeen, Xylah, Lyric, L’Nyiah, Brea, Iyanna, Micaiah, and Micai; and great-great-grandchildren Laylanie, Luca, and Patience.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a funeral service on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543. There will be a time of visitation with the family from 9:00 AM until the time of service. Interment will follow at Riverview Burial Park, Lancaster.

Those wishing to honor Dora’s memory may send contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.