Dorothy K. Lemanowicz

Dorothy K. Lemanowicz, 100, returned peacefully to her Savior on Monday September 25th, 2023, at St. Mary Hospital.  She was predeceased by her parents, Anthony and Mary Lemanowicz; her brothers Edwin, Leonard, and Edward; and her sister Florence. She is survived by her nephews Thomas Lemanowicz, James Lemanowicz, and Steven Lemanowicz; and her nieces Patricia DiGiacomo, Mary Muccie, Susan Fiocco, and Joan Link; 10 grand-nephews; 6 grand-nieces; and 14 great grand nephews and nieces. Dorothy was born in the Bridesburg section of Philadelphia on April 23rd, 1923.  She was a long time member of St. John Cantius Parish.  She was a dedicated daughter to her parents and a beloved and loving aunt to her nieces and nephews. Dorothy’s first job was as a seamstress for the Mummers but took a job at the Philadelphia Navy Yard when World War II broke out working on the steel production line.  Because many women were losing fingers, ‘Dorothy the Riveter’ transferred into the administrative offices which started a 35-year career with the Navy.  After the War, she completed her High School degree including classes in the nascent field of programming. In 1964, she was assigned to the Aviation Supply Office as a programmer in an effort to computerize procurement documents.  As the only woman on the 21-person team, she helped to write the foundational programs for automated purchasing, financial, and management reports involved in millions of dollars of materials annually for the Navy Supply System. She excelled and was soon promoted to lead programmer and then supervisor of the department. She was the highest-ranking woman on the installation as a GS-13.  And still drove home from Harrisburg every weekend to help care for her parents until they passed away in the 1970s. She retired in 1979 after 35 years of government service. Twenty years later when the Navy reached out to Dorothy to return to work in fears of Y2K, she said “nah". In an era where women were expected to settle down and have children by age 20, she dated, rejected multiple wedding proposals, but never married. She says she never felt that special spark and sure as hell wasn't going to settle. Instead, she spent time with her brothers, nieces and nephews, baking and decorating cakes for birthdays, and travelling the world. Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing on Monday, October 2, 2023 beginning at 9 AM at the Slabinski Sucharski Funeral Home, 2614 Orthodox St., Phila. PA 19137.  Funeral Mass at 11 AM at St. John Cantius Church. Burial to follow at Holy Redeemer Cemetery.