Dorothy Y. Abelson died peacefully at home on April 5. She was 98.

Born in Springfield in 1920, Dorothy grew up in Boston. She was always proud of her New England roots and of having graduated from the Boston Latin School.

She moved to New York city, where she worked at Macy’s and met Stanley Abelson, the love of her life. They married in June 1950, and continued living and working in New York. After Stanley returned from the Korean War, they moved to Stamford, Ct., to start a family. Once their children arrived, Dorothy stayed home to care for them. During those years, she also volunteered at The Rehabilitation Center and at Family and Childrens Services, both in Stamford.

The family moved to Philadelphia in 1975, where they found the people to be remarkably friendly and welcoming. Dorothy became very involved with the Bargain Shop at Pennsylvania Hospital, putting her retail expertise to good use. She also volunteered with The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and the Society Hill Civic Association. The Athenaeum of Philadelphia was also dear to her, reflecting her love of the English language and good writing. She was a fan of the New York Times crossword puzzles, which she completed in ink well into her 90s.

In the 1950s Dorothy and Stanley began spending time on Martha’s Vineyard, where Dorothy’s brother and sister in law, Arthur and Nancy Young, were living. After Stanley retired, they bought a home there, where they spent summers until 2014. There was nothing they enjoyed more than sitting on their back deck with a glass of red wine, looking out at Katama Bay.

She was always interested in current events and politics and she voted in the election last November at the age of 97.

She was predeceased by Stanley in 2017 after more than 66 years of marriage. She is survived by her sons Ned Abelson and Matt Abelson, daughter Ann Patrizio, and seven grandchildren.

A private memorial gathering is planned for May.

Donations can be made to The Athenaeum of Philadelphia, 219 South Sixth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, or The Philadelphia Orchestra, One South Broad Street, 14th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

Arrangements are under the care of The Oliver H. Bair Co.