Dorathy Naas, 86 / Jan. 27, 1925 – Oct. 9, 2011

Published 6:47 pm Friday, October 14, 2011

Dorathy Naas, 86
Jan. 27, 1925 – Oct. 9, 2011

Dorathy passed away peacefully Sunday morning, Oct. 9, 2011, after an extended illness.
She was born Jan. 27, 1925, in Buchanan, Mich., the daughter of the late Everet and Mable (Montgomery) Geary.
A graduate of Buchanan High School in 1943, Dot was a varsity cheerleader, the drum major in marching band, and active in the glee and acting clubs.  She was also involved in baton twirling and dance class, and it was through her love of Big Band swing dancing that she met her future husband, Charles H. Naas.
She was united in marriage to Chuck on July 2, 1949, at the First Presbyterian Church in Niles, Mich.  They resided in a house on Thornacres with wonderful times spent on the St. Joseph River.  She worked as the secretary and bookkeeper for Mr. George Davis at the Citizens’ Coal Service Company in Niles and also as a sports writer for the Niles Daily Star. (Even in her final hours, she was glued to the TV watching her beloved Tigers!)
Because of Chuck’s new job for Eliason Corporation, Dot and Chuck built a home and moved to the Kirkshire neighborhood in Portage, Mich., in 1967.  Dorathy became an active homemaker and served as the secretary and then vice president of the PTA at Milham School, and later, for six years, she served as the president of The Portage Northern Band and Orchestra Parents.
She was the organizer of many neighborhood parties and New Year’s Eve celebrations but may be best known for the famous week-long “1976 Bi-Centennial Celebration.”  Her patriotism led her to serve on several campaign and candidate committees and eventually earned her a phone call from President Bush.
She also volunteered for 12 years on the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital Guild, helping to organize the Annual Craft Bazaar Fundraiser that supported patient needs at the hospital.  She loved many types of crafts, including flower arranging, needlepoint and home decorating.
Dot was an avid reader, loved crossword puzzles and played on several bridge clubs and bowling teams. On Nov. 2, 2003, Dot was preceded in death by her loving husband, Chuck. She was also preceded in death by five brothers and sisters, Harold Geary, Forrest Geary, Carlton Geary, Agnes Tuesley and Jessie Cooper. Surviving are her children, David (Linda Rice) Naas, Jody (Joe) Badalamenti; four grandchildren, Jeffrey and Cameron Naas, Kaitlyn and Alexa Badalamenti; a sister, Evelyn Bolton; many loving cousins, nieces and nephews. Family and friends are asked share fond memories and celebrate Dorathy’s life during a visitation party on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. Ninth St. Private family interment will be in Mission Hills Memorial Garden in Niles, Mich. In lieu of flowers, Dorathy asked that you please donate in her memory to Touch Down for Diabetes, an annual event and the primary fundraiser for the Borgess Diabetes Center.
The clinic, under the direction of Dr. Michael Valitutto, provides quality medical care, education, medicines and medical supplies to local uninsured or underinsured patients with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes.
The Borgess Diabetes Clinic provides this care to Kalamazoo and surrounding communities. Touch Down for Diabetes, 6600 S. Westnedge, Portage, MI 49024, or, you may also choose to donate to a charity of your choice. Please visit www.langelands.com to sign the online guestbook.