Dorothy Davco

Dorothy E. Davco (Dolly), 89, of Quakertown, passed away peacefully Friday, May 27 at the Phoebe Richland Health Care Center.  Born on July 18, 1932, she was the daughter of the late LeRoy and Helen (Landis) Snyder, and her stepmother, the late Irene (Pors-Davco) Snyder.  She was the wife of the late Emil G. Davco, the love of her life, with whom she shared 53 years of marriage prior to his passing on March 15, 2007.

Known to one and all as Dolly (unless Dad was mad at her – then it was “Dorothy Emily”), she was a member of a very large family with nine siblings and two stepsiblings (one of whom she later married!) and grew up in a small, bursting-at-the-seams farmhouse in the countryside outside of Quakertown.   While perhaps not wealthy with material possessions, her family was rich with the blessing of sharing a close and unbreakable bond with each other that carried through from birth to death.   Numerous family picnics with the most delicious food and tubs of icy cold beer and A-Treat sodas, raucous Pinochle games that carried on long into the night, home movies under the stars shown on a white sheet screen in the driveway of their family home, annual Christmas parties at the Quakertown Moose with “entertainment” provided by countless cousins, weekly Bingo games at the former Shelly Fire Company, too numerous to mention weddings, births, anniversaries, and sadly, way too many funerals – Each and every moment of Dolly’s life was shared with this family of hers, this ‘tribe’ that had each other’s backs through thick and thin, a family that shaped and defined life as we all know it.

Dolly, Emil, and their children (and then grandchildren and great grandchildren) enjoyed over 50 years of summers camping, fishing, and clamming at Frontier Town Campground near Ocean City, where they made memories and built friendships that continue to this day.   Dolly enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, watching her ABC soaps, cooking for her family every Wednesday night (she made the best fried chicken and potato salad ever!), playing Bingo and 31, babysitting her ‘grand puppies’, and most importantly, spending time with her kids, grandkids and great grandkids.

A 1950 graduate of Quakertown High School, Dolly then married and spent several years providing daycare in her home for many children, and also worked at a local daycare.  Born to be a Mom, her passion for children was evident in the love and support she provided to every child she met.   She then was employed at the former American Olean Tile Company until her much deserved retirement in 1990.

Dolly leaves behind and will be deeply missed by her four children – Lori Butler and her husband Phil, Linda Seimes and her husband Gary, Emil Davco and his wife Chris, and Lisa Faust and her husband Joe; by her beloved and adored Grandchildren - Erin Grubb and her husband Troy, Allison Bernstein and her husband Bill, Matthew Davco, Lindsay  Gilmore and her husband David, and Bradley Davco, and her three ‘bonus’ step-grandchildren – Lauren, Nicole and Tyler Downing; and finally, by the lights of her life and her reason for being, her five Great Grandchildren  - Collin Bernstein, Maura and Caden Grubb, and Owen and Teagan Bernstein.  Dolly is also survived by her sister-in-law/step-sister, Marcella Hartman; as well as countless nieces, nephews and extended family, and by her many friends and family by choice.

Dolly was predeceased by her husband, Emil G. Davco and her parents and stepmother; her siblings Helen Morgan, Francis Heverly, Grace Mitman, (infant) Hazel Snyder, Alice Jarrett, LeRoy Snyder, Jr., Richard Snyder, Betty Lauchner, and James Snyder.

A memorial service and celebration of Dolly’s life will be held Thursday, June 9, 2022 at Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, 135 W. Pumping Station Rd., Quakertown, PA at 12:30 PM.  A visitation will be held prior to the service from 11:30-12:30. Burial at Quakertown Union Cemetery will follow the service. Live streaming of Dorothy's service can be seen here .

A special shout out from Dolly’s family to certain members of the nursing and medical staff of Phoebe Richland, who we gratefully call “The A Team” - Diane D., Michelle S., Melanie M., Samantha A., David, Kat G., Chris U., Sharon R., and Pastor Jamie.    Thank you all for the loving care and compassion you showed to Mom (and to us) during this difficult time.  You have our undying gratitude.

Memorial contributions in Dolly’s memory may be made to the American Legion Post 242 , 610 E. Broad Street, Quakertown, PA 18951, or the charity of your choice.