Dorothy Ellen (Cordrey) Carmine of Laurel passed on Aug. 14, 2024 at TidalHealth Nanticoke, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Gumboro, on Dec. 30, 1940 to the late Harry J. Cordrey and Lida Helen (Ward) Cordrey. After her mother sadly passed away when she was only 11 years old, Dorothy was lovingly raised by Earl and Ruth Conaway. She attended the Gumboro School through the eighth grade and then graduated from Laurel High School in the class of 1958.
In 1958 she married the love of her life, Bob, and they shared over 65 wonderful years together. Over the years, Dorothy worked in a sewing factory, drove a school bus and worked at Eaton Corporation, but her greatest accomplishments were being a loving wife to Bob, the best mother in the world to her four children and a loving Mommom to 13 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. Before her health interfered, she took great pleasure in having family over to share a meal for holidays, birthdays and special occasions. She is well known for her Sussex County dumplings which were the best in the world. She will be remembered for many things, but the memories she created and the love that she gave will surpass them all. Dorothy attended Crossroad Community Church until her health failed but continued to watch their services online.
Dorothy is survived by loving husband of over 65 years, Robert F. Carmine; daughters, Cathy Hudson (Jeff) of Georgetown, Nancy Lowe of Laurel, and Sue Whaley (Mark) of Laurel; son, Robert Carmine Jr. (Angie) of Laurel; grandchildren, Joanna Hudson-Broadbelt (Jon), Meghan Kubin (Ray), Keri Hignutt (Jason), Heather Lowe, Michael Lowe, Patience Murray (Dale), Chelsea Whaley, Eric Whaley (Carrie), Melissa Wright (Chad), Brittany Ross (Ernest), Brian Carmine (Courtney), Chris Carmine and Nicholas Carmine (Tory); great-grandchildren, Elanor Broadbelt, Josiah Hignutt, Joslyn Hignutt, Jerick Hignutt, Kayleigh Lowe, Kashton Lowe, Aidan Lowe, Makayla Lowe, Ryan Jones, Mackenzie Whaley, Madelyn Whaley, Ryan Wright, Sean Wright, Kenniss Wright, Bailey Wright, Cora Murray, Jovie Murray, Benjamin Lloyd, Jr., Baylor Whaley, Ava Carmine, Julian Ross, Carter Ross, Ari’yana Ross, Oliver Carmine, Ora Carmine, Brooks Carmine and Indie Carmine; siblings, Carol Moorehead (Richard) of Laurel and Shirley Gray (Robin Goslee-Companion) of Salisbury. Several nieces and nephews also survive her. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Alton Cordrey (Lena), Bill Cordrey (Addie), Bobby Cordrey (Nancy), Leon Cordrey, Bernice Ward (Ernest), Gladys Baker (Carlton), and Ruth Conaway.
All services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in Dorothy’s memory to: The Laurel Fire Department, 205 W. 10th Street, Laurel, Delaware 19956, and/or The Sussex County Emergency Medical Services, P.O. Box 589, Georgetown, Delaware 19947.
Online condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.hsdfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home in Laurel.