Obituary of Dorothy Trax Wieder

Mrs. Dorothy Trax Wieder, 84, of 32 Pershing Way, Titusville died early Sunday, October 24, 2010 at her residence. Mrs. Wieder was born on July 19, 1926 in Oil City to the late Charles and Jean Dimond Trax. She married Louis D. Wieder on June 1, 1952 in Erie. Mr. Wieder died on July 3, 2007. She was a graduate of Oil City High School, class of 1944 and attended Grove City College for two years. Mrs. Wieder was a former member of the Bethel United Methodist Church prior to her moving to Titusville. Dorothy Wieder was known for her ability to help, support and encourage the people in her life. As an owner of her neighborhood apartment buildings for over 40 years, she helped many young families get their start. More than just a just a typical landlord, she inspired a sense of community in her neighborhood. Whether hosting picnics, serving as a Cub Scout den mother, or inviting children to swim in her backyard pool, she made everyone feel welcome. The loving wife of Louis Wieder for 55 years, Dorothy was the heart and inspiration of her family. As a piano player, former member of a college singing trio, and an occasional writer of poetry, she sparked the creative spirit among her family members. All 3 of her children took piano lessons, with her daughter Susan playing the piano for her high-school choir and her son Bill writing numerous songs. Her son Sam followed her lead as a poet, writing many special-occasion poems over the years. Dorothy’s ability to bring out the creative best in people also extended to the next generation. Her grandchildren Jason, Sarah, and Megan have all written poetry or expressed creative abilities in other ways. And her youngest grandchild Michael seems to have already mastered the creative ability to find true joy and excitement in life. Dorothy’s greatest gift to her family was her appreciation and support of each family member’s uniqueness. By appreciating each of her children or grandchildren for who they were and what made them special, she inspired them to embrace their own possibilities. By shining her light upon those she loved most, she has left a legacy that will live on. She is survived by three children, Samuel Wieder and wife Jacqueline of Greensburg, William Wieder and wife Vicky of Titusville, Susan Drake of Titusville; four grandchildren, Jason and Sarah Drake, Megan and Michael Wieder; and one sister, Marion Smith and husband Charles of Arkansas. Friends may call at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home 303 N. Washington St., Titusville on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM and attend the funeral service from the funeral home on Thursday at 11:00 AM with Rev. Mark Rusnak, Chaplain for the Asera Care Hospice in Erie, officiating. Interment will be in Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City. Memorial contributions may be made to Asera Care Hospice 1600 Peninsula Drive, Suite 14, Erie, PA 16505. FLOWERS