Dorothy Frances Cragle's Obituary
Dorothy Frances (Yurkowski) Cragle accepted her call home to Heaven by her Lord on Saturday, October 26, 2019 to be reunited with her heavenly family. Formerly of Nanticoke, PA, Dorothy moved to Fredericksburg, VA in May of 2015 to live closer to her only daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dorothy celebrated her 87th Birthday on August 6th.
Dorothy was born to Anna (Surbarton) and Michael Yurkowski. She was born in Alden, PA and lived most of her live in the Sheatown area of Newport Township in Nanticoke, PA.
Dorothy is survived by her only daughter, Diane (Bukoski) Eskey and her husband, Lawrence (Clancy) Eskey of King George, VA; and their children and grandchildren, Mallory (Eskey) Dove and her husband, Adam and their children, Bailey and Grayson of Manassas, VA; Jared Eskey and his wife, Ashley and their daughter, Mackenzie of King George, VA; and Kendall (Eskey) Ayres and her husband, Schuyler and their son, arriving in March of Stafford, VA. Dorothy is also survived by her younger sister, Lorraine (Yurkowski) Beck and her husband, Larry and her sister-in-law, Olga (Chorney) Yurkowski.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her mother, Anna (Subarton) Yurkowski; her younger brother and Birthday Buddy, John Yurkowski; then by her father, Michael Yurkowski, Sr.; and lastly by her older brother, Michael Yurkowski, Jr.
Dorothy was also preceded in death by her husband, Dean Cragle. Dean and Dorothy were married on December 1, 1984. Dorothy was lovingly welcomed into Dean’s family by several of his family members who are also grieving our loss, including his daughter, Carol (Cragle) Prothero and her husband, Joseph (Cook), their daughters, Carolyn (Prothero) Lore and Sharon (Prothero) Whitebread along with their children, grandchildren, and spouses.
Dorothy was a seamstress at heart. She started work at an early age and worked for companies such as Sea Isle Sportswear and Leslie Fay Sportswear. She retired from the ILGWU (International Ladies Garment Workers Union) on October 14, 1994. She continued to enjoy sewing and selling her crafts. Dorothy was best known for her tissue box covers, clothespins bags and grocery bag holders. If you didn’t have one then you probably didn’t know her very well at all. Dorothy loved Spooky Psychological Thriller movies and had a 20+ year weekly relationship with Netflix and their little red mailing envelopes. She cooked because she had to but loved to bake, we will all miss her Banana cake with chocolate frosting and her Texas Sheet cake. Dorothy had a sweet tooth at the level that she probably could have worked in retirement for the Easter Bunny or any pastry shop, she was always able to justify the health benefits of a Pay Day peanut candy bar (protein) and an Oatmeal cookie (fiber). Once she moved to Virginia, she enjoyed spending time at her apartment activities; Bingo, Happy Hour Fridays, Bible Study, Movie Nights, Holiday gatherings and the night before her passing she was at the Evergreens’ Halloween Party. We will always cherish those photos taken in the photo booth that evening.
Dorothy trusted that Jesus died on the cross for us and had a very strong faith. She received her last rites at the age of 13 after an illness that stumped the doctors in the New York City hospital that cared for her. Her survival from that could only be explained by the hands of her Lord and Savior who she resides with now touching her at that time. It was a true miracle that her doctors could not explain. Dorothy was a Christian and believed in finding the good in everyone. She prayed her stack of prayer cards daily and we were always grateful to know we were receiving her blessings daily. She loved following Pastor Joel Osteen and watched him daily. She was fortunate to have met him in person twice, upon their introduction she shared with him that she went to bed each night listening to his CD's. She could tell a Joel joke, story or sermon at a moment’s notice to help someone or bring comfort and understanding to a troubling situation.
A private ceremony was held on October 29th for the immediate local family at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel. A celebration of life event is being planned for her Pennsylvania family and friends at the West Side Playground Community Center in Nanticoke, PA. This will take place on Sunday, November 10, 2019 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.. An additional celebrate of life event is being planned for her Virginia family and friends at the Evergreens at Smith Run Apartment Complex in Fredericksburg, VA. This will take place on Thursday, November 14, 2019 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you and hearing about your stories and fond and funny memories that are within your heart.
Please refer to the Found & Sons website for condolences and any other details.
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