Dorothy M. Lien

Dorothy M. Lien lived a long full life from 1932 - 2023. Born in Buffalo, the only child of Edward Zimmer and Anna Klein Zimmer. She attended the Little Mount, Mount Saint Joseph's High School, and attended Medaille College. She made many lifelong friends along the way. During her teen years she enjoyed roller skating, swimming, and dancing. Summers were spent at the cottage her mother built at Clifton Heights along Lake Erie. Here Dorothy had a close knit group of friends known as " The Beach Girls." Her first marriage in 1950 resulted in four children; Karen, Kathleen, Joseph, and Margaret. After separating, Dorothy and the children moved in with her mother. There in the Parkside community she gave her children an ideal childhood. Dorothy made sure her children's lives were full of activities like swimming, ice skating, scouting, picnics, camping, and fruit picking. She made sure they got to museums, art galleries, and performances. Every summer she scraped together enough money to take the family on a variety of vacations along the east coast of the U.S.A. and Canada. Dorothy began teaching first grade at Nativity in 1961. In the next door classroom was her beloved Aunt, Sister Hildegard, who was her mentor and role model. She then transferred to Saint Mark School where she taught from 1964 - 1977. In a short time she became a highly requested and favorite teacher. In fairy tale fashion Dorothy met Thomas H. Lien who she married in 1975. Two years later Thomas landed a job in the U.S. State Department. They lived in seven different countries and travelled extensively. Dorothy freely opened her home to any and all who wanted to travel overseas. They chose to come back to the Buffalo area after retirement in 1996. Dorothy got involved with the B.P.O., Opera Buffs, local theatres, and the Art Gallery. She was a faithful volunteer for Meals On Wheels in,Tonawanda. She stayed very active until the end and was known for her daily walks. Her favorite places were near the water like Hoyt Lake, Mirror Lake, Niawanda Park, Canalside, and Olcott Beach. She found it relaxing to observe the changing seasons and watch the sun set on the water. Dorothy passed away peacefully after a short illness and a fourteen hour stay at Hospice. She was a beloved wife, and a wonderful mother and grandmother, great friend, and neighbor. She went out of her way to help others and touched everyone she met in a special way. She left us all with fond memories and will be dearly missed. Let's raise our beer mugs and toast her one last time. " Three cheers to a life well lived ! "

Of Tonawanda, New York, entered into rest on October 31, 2023, age 91. Beloved wife of the late Thomas H. Lien. Loving mother of Karen (the late Joseph) Hopkins, Kathleen (Roderick) James, Joseph (Judith) Carr and the late Margaret Carr. Dear grandmother of 10 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. Family and friends may call on Friday November 10, 2023 from 4-7pm at DENGLER, ROBERTS, PERNA FUNERAL HOME, 3070 Delaware Ave. Kenmore, NY 14217 where a Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10am on Saturday November 11, 2023. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice Buffalo or Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, in Dorothy's memory. Fond memories and condolences may be shared at www.denglerrobertspernafuneral.com