Dorothy Marie (Dilts) Fletcher

HOLLY SPRINGS, NC - Dorothy Marie (Dilts) Fletcher, a beloved mother, devoted wife, and adventurous traveler, passed away in the early hours of Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the age of 96. She was a longtime resident of New Jersey.

Dorothy was born in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, on June 4, 1929, the daughter of the late Carl and Helen Dilts. She lived in Lebanon Borough for the first 56 years of her life, and spent the next 40 years in Holland Township in the old Spring Mills Schoolhouse, converted to a residence some years prior.

Dorothy was a Great Depression baby, having been born just a few months before the '29 Crash. Her father was steadily employed by NJ Telephone, so there was enough, but few extras. Her father had a vegetable and flower garden and would allow Dorothy to peddle some of the yield to the neighborhood in her wagon. She would earn enough to take friends and herself to the Saturday movies at Clinton Point Theater. There they would see a newsreel, a cartoon, and a double feature for 9 cents per person!

The family would often have a Sunday picnic at Budd Lake where there was a carousel. There was not the extra nickel for Dorothy to ride, but she stood and watched it go 'round. Her father promised to make it up to her. About three decades later he purchased an actual carousel horse for her at an antique shop. This gift, a promise fulfilled, became a cherished centerpiece in her home for the rest of her years-a reminder of a father's enduring love.

Dorothy had various jobs from the time she was 13 to 25, including telephone operator, factory work, secretarial, and waitressing. She graduated from Clinton High School in 1947. She married Eugene in 1950, and together they built a life defined by hard work. When their daughter arrived in 1954, Dorothy took on the role of dedicated homemaker while also managing the office side of her husband's electrical business, as well as tending the vegetable and flower gardens like her father.

She had many friends and as an empty-nester enjoyed frequent lunch dates with them and occasional travel trips around the country with former grammar school friends, and then later with her daughter and grandson. She had two favorite trips. One was a month-long drive with her husband, going from New Jersey to North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Oregon, Alaska, and Minnesota, visiting friends and family all along the way. The other was traveling the full length of Route 66, from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, with her daughter. The famous "Mother Road" passed through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, with many old-timey motels, greasy spoons, and attractions along the way. This 2,448-mile trip was taken in three segments in 1998, 2000, and 2002; truly, a trip of a lifetime.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene; her brother, Richard Dilts; her grandson, Mitchell Hallock; and special friend, Beulah Schuyler.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Debora Williams and husband, Paul of Holly Springs; a host of nieces and nephews to whom she was lovingly known as "Aunt Dot"; and many dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to her beloved church, Everittstown United Methodist Church at 415 County Road #513, Pittstown, NJ 08867.

Arrangements are by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home of Raleigh. Online condolences may be made at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home