Dorothy Mae Markert Cushman, 104

December 29, 2018

Dorothy Mae Markert Cushman, AKA “Nanny Dot”, 104 years and 347 days, entered Heaven on Saturday, December 29, 2018.
In her early teens, she worked at her parents’ Samuel and Edith Heisley’s shirt factory in Lititz for forty years. She also worked at Singing Needles and Carters. Since Nanny Dot enjoyed sewing so much, she made Barbie and Ken clothes, children’s t-shirts and baby bibs and sold them at the first few Lititz Craft Shows and also donated t-shirts to children in need.
Dorothy was married to the late J. E. Russell Markert for 50 years. As avid bird watchers they were members of the Lancaster County Bird Club, National Audubon Society, American Bird Assn., and the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. They traveled across the United States in their camper to search out birds and see our country. For many years they also volunteered as drivers for Lititz Meals on Wheels.
They loved their family times together with their 3 children and extended family members
At age 85, “Nanny Dot” married Robert Cushman “Grandpere” and they enjoyed an adventurous 7 years together before his passing. They traveled to California for their honeymoon, NYC, learned to bowl and loved to go out to restaurants and lived at Cornwall Manor.
Dorothy was the oldest member of St. Luke’s United Church of Christ in Lititz, where she sang in the choir until she was 90 and was active in many other church activities. She also served on the Board of Trustees of Old Zion.
In 2012 after the passing of “Grandpere” and a fall at Cornwall Manor, she moved to United Zion Retirement Community.
She will be missed so very much by her family here on earth: two daughters – Judi married to Ronald Mentzer and Jane Markert; four grandchildren – Jack Markert, Kim married to Michael Jones, Amy married to Neil Adams, Abby married to Rob Dodds; 10 great grandchildren – Nichole married to Erik Beste, Jessica Jones, Julie married to Russell Franks, John Paul Jones, Krista Jo married to Tyler Reed, Lindsey Markert, Dylan Adams married to Jessica, Cole Adams, Adam Dodds, and Claire Dodds; 5 great-great grandchildren, with a sixth one on the way: Tatum, Landen, Piper, Walter and Adelynn; 2 nieces – Barbara Garner and Peggy Buckreis; and daughter-in-law Peggy Seaber Markert.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents Edith and Samuel Heisley, her husbands, her son Jack Markert, her grandson Jeffrey Markert, her great grandson Samuel Markert and her sister Ruth DeVink Zong.
She has been loved by so many and will live in their hearts always. With her spirit alive in many, she would want everyone to continue the way she lived her life so be happy, share what you have, and make each day count.
Her family wants to extend a great thank you to all of the staff at the United Zion Retirement Community and Hospice and Community Care for all of the compassionate care offered to her.
Friends will be received on Friday, January 4, 2019 from 10-11 at St. Luke’s UCC, 222 N. Broad St., Lititz, PA 17543, with the Funeral Service to follow at 11AM followed by interment at Old Zion Cemetery. At Dorothy’s request, in lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Dorothy’s memory to St. Luke’s UCC at the above address.