Dorothy Truax

Big Pool, Maryland

Dorothy Hilda Truax, age 93, of Big Pool, Md., died on Wednesday, August 5, 2015, at her home.

Born January 19, 1922, in Millstone, Md., she was the daughter of the late Joseph Franklin and Virgie Grace Helser Weller, and the widow of Bernard J. “Bun” Truax, who died September 25, 1988.

Dorothy was a graduate of the Hancock High School, class of 1940, and Towson State Teachers College, class of 1942. Following a 48 year career as an educator, which included numerous teaching assignments in elementary education in Bethesda, Md., and in Washington County at Fountaindale Elementary School, Dorothy retired in 1990 to become a lifelong volunteer in her community. She will be fondly remembered for her tireless work with the Reading Counts program at Clear Spring Elementary School; blood drive work on behalf of the American National Red Cross; hearing and vision screening work on behalf of the Lions Club; and her work as a Christian educator.

Dorothy was a founding member of the Washington County Teachers Association. In 2000 she was honored as one of the Community Foundation of Washington County, Md., Inc.’s People’s Choice Award winners, where she was recognized as an unsung hero in the community. During her tenure as a fifth grade instructor at Fountaindale Elementary, she was nominated and received the Washington County Educator of the Year award.

She is survived by one daughter, Patricia Truax Blair; and grandsons, Mackenzie and Matthew, of Clear Spring, Md.; one son, Dennis D. Truax; daughter-in-law, Jeanie; and granddaughters, Courtney and Kelly, of Starkville, Ms.

Dorothy was preceded in death by three sisters, Mabel E. Weller, Lucille M. Weller, and Pauline V. Weller Kimmett; and one brother, Joseph F. Weller, Jr.

Burial at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, in Hagerstown, Md., will be at the convenience of the family. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2015, at 11:30 a.m., at St. John’s United Church of Christ, in Clear Spring, Md.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dorothy H. Truax Scholarship Fund, Washington County Teachers Association, 42 South Mulberry Street, Hagerstown, Md. 21740, or to St. John’s United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 157, Clear Spring, Md. 21722.

Arrangements were handled by the Grove Funeral Home, 141 West Main Street, Hancock, Md.

Online condolences will be accepted at www.grovefh.com