Obituary of Dorothy Marie Meerschaert

Dorothy Marie Meerschaert June 22, 1932 to April 25, 2022 Dorothy Marie Meerschaert, age 89 (nee Nehrenberg), long-time resident of Troy, East Lansing, and Bay City Michigan passed away on April 25, 2022 in the company of her loving family. Dorothy, also known as Boots, was a talented sewing teacher. She taught adult education sewing classes and did alterations for high-end stores and individuals. She crafted clothing for her family from blue jeans and play dresses to mens suits and wedding dresses. She worked as an aide for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) helping low-income families learn to select more nutritious foods and gain skills in food preparation, food budgeting, and sanitation. She helped parents return to school to earn their GED. After raising eight children, she attended community college to learn computer and other skills that she used to gain employment at Volkswagen and at Standard Federal Savings. Dorothy enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She hosted tea parties, organized games, and took them to museums. She also crafted gifts for them and taught several of them to sew. Dorothy traveled extensively throughout North America as a child, and again when the children were grown. She loved to experience new places and meet new people, including one month spent touring Ireland. Special occasions were made even more special when the bride, new baby, or First Communicant wore a gown sewed with love by Dorothy. She will be remembered for the smocked dresses, quilts, and holiday decorations she made. Each Christmas was marked by hand crafted Christmas ornaments for each child. She loved to read, watch British TV shows on PBS, and snack on dark chocolate. Dorothy also loved to garden and can. She was an adventurous cook and a talented baker. She adored all things Snoopy. She is survived by children, Michael Meerschaert and Kathy Hart, Carmen Meerschaert, Tom and Mary Meerschaert, Gary and Terrie Meerschaert, Wally Meerschaert and Amalin Ferguson, Carol Meerschaert and Dan Kirk, Kevin Meerschaert, JoAnn Meerschaert and Neal Voelz. She was very proud of her 19 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings and in-laws, Helen Kaczperski, Thomas Stano, August and Delphine Meerschaert, Joseph and Jeanette Meerschaert, Joan Braekevelt, Janet and Robert Bassett, and Dolores Meerschaert. She will be missed by her many nieces, nephews and godchildren. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 54 years, Marvin; son, Mark; and her brother, Donald Nehrenberg. A special thanks to the residents and staff at both Midland Manor Senior Apartments and Charter Senior Living for their friendship and care of Dorothy during her time living in Bay City. A funeral mass is being arranged by the family. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to the charity of the donor’s choice. To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.