Aurora College/University, Class of 1952

Dorothy was born on April 4, 1930, in Madras, India to missionary parents, Frederick Bateman Clothey and Vesta (Wilson) Clothey. She passed away on October 6, 2022, at the age of 92.

After the family returned to the United States at the start of World War II, Dorothy, and her sister Phyllis (Clothey) Roberson remained in Massachusetts to live with an aunt and uncle to finish their schooling. Their younger brother Frederick Clothey returned to India with their parents. Dorothy attended Aurora College/University in Aurora, Ill. where she met Louia Gransee. They were married in June of 1949, and graduated from college in 1952, with Louia going straight into the ministry and Dorothy pursuing a career in teaching. They maintained and treasured lifelong friendships from college and churches they served.

They held pastorates in DeKalb, IL; St. Louis, MO; Baraboo, WI; and San Diego, CA all for the Advent Christian General Conference denomination. Dorothy was busy raising their four daughters and teaching elementary school including being principal of a private Christian school in San Diego. She also taught countless Sunday School classes for all ages. Dorothy was regularly active in the Women’s Home and Foreign Mission Society, at one time serving as the President of the Midwest Region for several years and attended meetings faithfully right up until the last. Dorothy enjoyed attending and serving at Christian camps over her lifetime. In San Diego she also volunteered for the American Cancer Society.

Her legacy is priceless. She was a gentle woman with a fierce faith that she passed down to all her family and those who knew her through her work and church ministry.

She is survived and greatly missed by her brother, Fred Clothey (Ann), her four daughters, Martha Fernandez, Lucinda Chase (Brian), Elise Finney (Ronald), Jane Mergens (Peter), and nine grandchildren: Paul, Carolyn, Benjamin, Nathan, Daniel, Aubrey, Nicholas, Collrane, and Miranda. She has nine great-grandchildren: Patrick, Piper, Aiden, Ashton, Malachi, Capri, Adylaide, Aspen, and Jaxon.

To offer condolences or share a friendship story you had with Dorothy go to: www.eternalhillsmortuary.com, Recent Obituaries, Obituaries, scroll down to Dorothy Gransee.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to:

Aurora University in support of the Wackerlin Center for Faith & Action, 347 S. Gladstone, Aurora IL 60506 or online at www.aurora.edu/give

OR

Advent Christian General Conference in support of International Missions: ACGC, PO Box 690848 Charlotte NC 28227, or online at http://weblink.donorperfect.com/MissionsTribute.