Dorothy Rineer

Dorothy M. Rineer, 93, of Lititz, PA, a trailblazing Executive Secretary of the Woodstream Corporation of Lititz, PA for almost 35 years, died Saturday, February 23, 2013. A spitfire of a woman, she was the first woman in the company to travel on business. After seeing a photo in Vogue magazine for a pantsuit, she made her own without a pattern and wore it to the office, where women were required to wear skirts. The following day, an office memo declared that women could wear pantsuits. Born in Lancaster, PA on September 25, 1919, Dottie graduated from J. P. McCaskey High School in 1938 in Lancaster’s first gender-integrated class of students and continued her education at Lancaster Business School. She was preceded in death by husband Charles E. Rineer, who died in 1985; parents, Mary Elizabeth (Kohler) and Howard J. Schwartz; brother, John A. Schwartz; and sister, June Schwartz Maharg Ebbert. The center of a close family, she is survived by her daughter, Dr. Carla M. Rineer and her companion, Howard J. Miller, Jr. (Lancaster), and her granddaughter Tara (Ritter) Poag and her spouse, Andrew J. Poag (Philadelphia), as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Her friends and family will always treasure her for her high spirits, determination, and drive. She loved sports, playing baseball for the Northern Lights during World War II and high school field hockey. Her favorite time of year was baseball season, when she watched her beloved Philadelphia Phillies. She was a member of Lititz Moravian Church, as well as the Lititz American Business Club, where she was involved in numerous theater productions. She was also dedicated to her personal writing, penning letters to friends and family across the country and in Ireland, and keeping a daily journal since 1976. The shock registered by so many people when they hear of her passing stands as a testament to her zest for life. A stubborn force of nature to the end, we are all proud to say she was ours. Friends and relatives are invited to attend Dottie’s Memorial Service on Friday, March 1, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. at The Groffs Family Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc., 528 West Orange Street (corner of West Orange and Pine streets) with Rev. Dean Jurgen officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the service. There will be a private family interment at Machpelah Cemetery, Lititz, PA. To celebrate her love of the family dogs, Zelda and Sabine, contributions may be made in Dottie’s memory to the Humane League of Lancaster County, 2195 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602.

Dorothy Rineer

February 25, 2013