Dorothy Zander, mother and community volunteer

DOROTHY LEVY ZANDER, 85, a wife and mother whose love of life was embued in all she did – from dancing to telling jokes  – died peacefully in her sleep in her adopted home of Sun City, FL on Sunday, March 31 .

Zander

At the time of her passing, Zander was a resident of the Sun City Center retirement home and assisted living facility. She had evacuated her beloved New Orleans in anticipation of Hurricane Katrina FL, but was never able to rebuild or return following the flooding, which claimed her residence.

Born in St. Paul, MN, Zander attended Newcomb College for two years, but met and soon wed Earl Zander, her husband of 37 years, in 1947. He predeceased her in 1984.

Through the years, she kept her mind active and was particularly good at  playing bridge and mah-johng and, later, had many games of  Rummikub with her grandchildren. Zander also enjoyed acting on stage and performed many roles at Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré and other community theaters here as well as performing in small productions for the members of her community at Sun City. A member of Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority, Zander continued to support their chapters throughout her life. She also was an active volunteer for several charities for most of her life, especially those that dealt with the deaf and hard of hearing.

She is survived by her daughter Diane Jacobson (Peter) of Brandon, FL, her son Ronald Zander (Sherry) of Dallas and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service was held at Congregation Beth Shalom in Bradon, FL on April 4. Her final interment will be at Hebrew Rest Cemetery in New Orleans.

Memorial donations are suggested to Jewish Family Service and the Alexander Graham Bell Foundation for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing