Dorcas Elizabeth Drury

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Dorcas Elizabeth Drury, 84, of Ironwood, died Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, at home, following a courageous battle with Parkinson's disease.

Dorcas (Bowman) was born in Detroit on Feb. 2, 1931. She graduated from high school at Mynderse Academy in Seneca Falls, N.Y. She then attended the University of Michigan and graduated summa cum laude from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in history. Dorcas briefly worked for the National Security Agency and lived in Laurel, Md., previous to her marriage to Hugh Drury. Hugh quickly whisked her off to Anchorage, Alaska, where he was stationed at Fort Richardson Army Base. Before settling in Ironwood, they also lived in Burlington, Wis., and Marquette.

Dorcas was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She particularly doted on her 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was on the Carnegie Library Board and at one time belonged to the First Presbyterian Church Circle and taught Sunday School. She was also involved with the PTA at Sleight School. Dorcas was a talented painter and was honored with a local award for a rendering of her grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling to southern climates as well as historical sites and destinations. She loved playing bridge - win or lose - but mostly winning. Dorcas was best known as an avid reader who could never put down a good mystery. She was very smart and had a firm grasp of details, facts and trivia. Dorcas most enjoyed spending time at Conway Lake with her family.

Dorcas is survived by Hugh Drury, her husband of 63 years; her daughters, Lory (John) Fedo, Shirley (David) LaCrosse, Melissa (Richard) Gitter, Jennifer (Andrew) Schaum and Priscilla Drury (Robert) Wilson; grandchildren, Domenic, Criste, Gia, Marco, David, Stephen, Eric, Calvin, Casey, Camille and Benjamin; great-grandchildren, Odette and Alessandro; her sister, Rilla (Jack) Neafsey; and her dear friends and caregivers, Lisa Hanson and Mary Beth Mathias.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward L. and Dorcas E. Bowman, and her grandson, Christopher.

A memorial service will be held July 16, 2016, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at the Big Bay Presbyterian Church in Big Bay. Interment will be in the Powell Township Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements were entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Online condolences may be expressed at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.