Della Marie Worley

Della Worley, 91, passed away to be with the Lord on September 27, 2023. She was born in Fairfield County (at home) on January 28, 1932, in the dead of winter. She was the third child of Esther Viola and Roy Hartranft. Left to cherish her memory are her sisters, Joan Dove and Ethel North, and her brother, David Hartranft, her daughter, Tamie and favorite son-in-law, Russ Bertke and numerous nieces and nephews. She leaves some special friends, Irene and Ray Rasmussen, Mary Drysdale, and Kathy Magner, along with other friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob and her son, Robert, Jr., her parents, Esther Viola and Roy, her sisters and brothers-in-law, Doris (John Hartley) and Dorothy (Eldon Drum). Also, John Dove (brother-in-law), Floyd North (brother-in-law), and Wanda Hartranft (sister-in-law).

How do you distill a lifetime into a few paragraphs? She was a strong, courageous, compassionate, and at times a funny woman. She married a career Air Force man and traveled around the country and a few places overseas, so she had to be. She didn't know a stranger and always found people to talk to in a crowd of strangers. She was a daughter, sister, wife and mother. She and her husband decided they didn't want an only child (Robert), so on a tour in Japan they decided to adopt a little girl, Tamie. Or as Robert so eloquently put it "did you buy me a sister?" Since they moved so often (every 2 years, regular as clockwork), she couldn't really have a "career", but she became a great salesperson. And it was proof that she was courageous, since it isn't easy to knock on doors selling perfume, household products or cosmetics to total strangers! And because she couldn't just leave her children at home by themselves, she dragged them along with her occasionally. One time she got in trouble by the police by walking across a highway with them. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do!

She was a very easy-going woman. Never really got angry (until the end when you don't dare try to do a COVID test!). Her view on some things in life was to "take things as they come". No since worrying about the future since you can't really control it. Pretty much her view of the weather as well. Look out the window and that's the weather forecast!

She was a Red Cross volunteer at the Wright Patterson Medical Center for over 20 years. She was known as the "coffee cart" lady. She took drinks (not just coffee) and books to patients and visitors all over the hospital. She was active in the Queen of Peace Catholic parish on Wright Patt and was a faithful member.

What will we remember most about her? Her love, her smile, her laughter and her hugs. The hole that is left behind, is filled with memories old and new that can never be taken away.

Please cherish your memories of her and in place of flowers or gifts, please donate to the American Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Foundation, or a charity of your choice.

Public visitation will be held at Newcomer Funeral Home (3380 Dayton Xenia Rd) on Saturday October 7, 2023 at 2:00 pm with a memorial service to follow at 3:00 pm.