Dorothy Alderton

Dorothy Isabelle Alderton of Traverse City passed away on September 13, 2022 in Petoskey, Michigan. She was 95. Dorothy was born on July 9, 1927, to Casper and Naomi (Kratochvil) Melichar in their home on 11th Street in Traverse City. She graduated from Traverse City Central High School in 1945 and attended Davenport Business College in Grand Rapids from 1946-1947. Immediately following graduation, Dorothy was employed by the law office of Robert B. Murchie in Traverse City as a legal secretary, where she worked for 42 years. The firm was later known as Murchie, Calcutt and Sondee. Dorothy was a member of the Grand Traverse County Legal Secretaries Association for many years and was voted Grand Traverse County’s first Legal Secretary of the Year in 1971. In 1973, she was awarded the title of Professional Legal Secretary. Dorothy was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church in Traverse City. On March 6, 1990, Dorothy married the love of her life, George S. Alderton. George was the sports editor for the Lansing State Journal who applied the name “Spartans” to the Michigan State University athletic teams. Dorothy and George had three wonderful years together before his death in 1993. She wore his ring until her last breath. Dorothy was a ray of sunshine to all those around her. She was a ready source of help to friends in need of a ride for as long as she could drive. She donated to many causes, finding it hard to refuse any request. She looked forward to family gatherings and loved playing cards and various board games. She and her brother Howard worked the crosswords in the newspaper daily and called each other afterward to compare answers. Her joke telling made her family laugh until they cried. She remembered and shared many family stories. She sang and she played the piano for as long as her hands would let her. She prayed for family and friends daily and by name. Dorothy was an excellent example of generosity and love. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Donald in infancy, brother Howard and sister-in-law Shirley (Jackman), brother Jackson and sister-in-law Mildred (Schroff), sister Rose Mary and brother-in-law Kenneth Darrow, nephew Daniel Melichar, stepsons Roderick and Dickson Alderton, and many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. Surviving who will miss her dearly are nieces and nephews Patricia Draper of Grand Rapids, Suzanne (Paul) Wise of Boyne City, William (Patricia) Darrow of Grawn, Christina (Michael) Majszak of Traverse City, Steve (Cindy) Melichar of Traverse City, Jan (Wright) Melichar of Florida, nineteen great nieces and nephews, 15 great-great nieces and nephews, step-grandchildren, and dear cousins and friends. Dorothy’s family would like to thank the staff at McClaren Hiland Cottage for gently and genuinely caring for her in her final days. Dorothy has requested that her body be donated to the Division of Human Anatomy at Michigan State University in East Lansing. A private family gathering in memory of Dorothy will be held sometime in the future. Memorials may be directed to the Carmelite Monastery in Traverse City, St. Francis Catholic Church in Traverse City, The Father Fred Foundation, or a charity of one’s choice.

Dorothy Alderton

July 9, 1927 - September 13, 2022