Dorothy T. Pearce, 88, formerly of Delaware Avenue died the night of April 16, 2009, in Jameson Hospital.

Born Oct. 4, 1920, in New Castle, she was a daughter of the late Ella Cassidy Conrad Vallely and Urias Conrad.

Due to the death of her father, she was lovingly raised by her late stepfather, James Vallely.She married William F. Pearce on Aug. 16, 1955. He preceded her in death on Aug. 8, 2007. She was also preceded in death by Thomas L. McCreary and Henry P. Scheffler.

Mrs. Pearce retired as a decorator and assistant manager for the Sherwin-Williams Co. Her first job was as a clerk for the former Neisner's Department Store. She also worked as a trained cosmetician for the former New Castle Dry Goods Company and as a sales associate for Murawski Jewelers.

She attended New Castle High School and placed a high priority on the value of an education for her children and grandchildren. A devoted mother and grandmother, she loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed the arts and attended music and dance performances. She was interested in news events and watched CNN daily.

Mrs. Pearce was a member of St. Mary Church of Mary Mother of Hope Parish.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law with whom she lived, Dr. Bille Pearce Rondinelli and Frank T. Rondinelli of New Castle; a daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl McCreary Mandia and Dr. Richard J. Mandia of Aiken, S.C.; a son and daughter-in-law, Kevin J. Scheffler and Donna Scheffler of Connellsville, Pa.; a sister, Mary Scanlan of Verona, Pa.; eight grandchildren, Jaclyn Rose Rondinelli, Jonathan Robert Rondinelli and Justin Paul Rondinelli, all of New Castle; Paul J. Mason of Pittsburgh, Thomas R. Mason of Maui, Hawaii, Jennifer L. Arnold of Apex, N.C., Michelle Keefer of Connellsville, Pa., and Kevin J. Scheffler, Jr. of Fox Chapel. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, Jared and Ryan Keefer; Julie, Emily, and Lindsay Scheffler, and Jackson, William and Ella Arnold, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Raymond Brunner and James Vallely.

Calling hours are 6 to 9 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. tomorrow at the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, 111 W. Falls St.

A procession will leave the funeral home at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow for St. Mary Church where a mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. The Rev. Victor J. Molka, Jr., pastor of Mary Mother of Hope Parish will officiate.

Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice