Dorothy A. Dignan

Dorothy Anita Dignan (Edwards)

Dorothy was born in Youngstown, Ohio on February 5, 1930. She passed away of natural causes March 25, 2025, at home surrounded by family, just as she wished.

She was a graduate of Ursuline High School in Youngstown. After graduation she earned her nursing degree which started her on her lifelong path of caring for and giving to others, Dorothy married Edward J, Dignan Jr. and they had seven children who in turn gave them twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

After moving to Dayton, Ohio in 1963, she continued her nursing career at St, Elizabeth Hospital where she went from Head Floor Nurse to Emergency Department Head Nurse. She worked with a couple of local plastic surgeons gaining a wealth of recognition from several Dayton area physicians. She then found “her spot”. She moved to Kettering Hospital and worked in cardiology and the operating room. This was where flourished as Secretary, Vice-President and finally President of AORN (Association of Operating Room Nurses). It is truly unknown how many people she helped in her long career.

Dorothy loved to travel and see new places. She had a strong love and compassion for all of God’s animals, but not chickens, they didn’t count. What you saw was what you got with Dorothy. She was kind and generous, loving and brutally honest. If she loved you, you were fed. And fed well, no excuses, there’s some left, here I packed some for you to take home. Sometimes I think her favorite phrase was, “do you need anything else?”

An extremely loving woman who always wanted to help. She left a legacy of caring and helping that is evident in the nature of the family she loved so dearly. We all miss you so very much. Enjoy the rest you have earned.