Dorothy E. McConnell Sankey Crocker, 89, Siler City, NC, formerly of New Castle, passed away peacefully of natural causes at 5:45 a.m. (10-19-11) in Universal Health Care, Ramseur, North Carolina.

She was born on November 8, 1921 in New Port, Pa., the daughter of Grant E. and Mary Elizabeth Eckelberger McConnell.

Dorothy retired from the Lawrence County Head Start program where she had worked as a kitchen aid for several years.

She belonged to the former Madison Avenue Christian Church where she taught Sunday school classes. Dorothy was also a member of the former Highland Heights United Brethren Church's 50 Plus Club. She enjoyed heading up her family's reunion in past years.

Her husband Wilbur Crocker whom she married on November 17, 1979, passed away on March 2, 1998.

She is survived by her son Dale E. Sankey and his wife Marilyn, Ruskin Fl, Carl G. Sankey and his wife Lucille, Siler City NC, a sister Mary McConnell, Volant, Flora Golias Warren, OH, a sister in law Gerry McConnell, New Bedford, 9 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and one great great granddaughter.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two sons, Paul E. and Wayne L. Sankey, two grandsons, Dominick, and Steven Sankey, five sisters, Alice Wimer and Edna and Sarah McConnell, and Sylvia Holmes, and an infant Edith McConnell, and a brother Ernest McConnell.

Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. 111 W. Falls Street New Castle.

A funeral service will be 12:00 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home chapel with Rev.Paul Zaperach officiating.

Interment will follow in Kings Chapel Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society 3208 B Wilmington RoadNew Castle, PA 16105.

To view her obituary on line or to post a tribute to her family, visit the web site www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com