Dorothy Poetzsch

Mrs. Dorothy Bertram Poetzsch, 93, of Charlotte, NC, passed away on February 13, 2013. She was born on March 3, 1919 in Baltimore, Maryland, daughter of the late Louis G. Bertram, Sr. and Lillian Armiger Bertram.

Dorothy married the late Paul H. Poetzsch on February 1, 1941 and they enjoyed 62 years nurturing their love and family. In 1956 they moved to Charlotte. Dorothy was a strong and faithfully religious woman, wife and mother. She was a foster mother for babies awaiting adoption for Catholic Social Services for many years. Dorothy was an ovarian cancer survivor, a wonderful cook, an expert seamstress, a creative writer, and an avid reader. She was always busy with her church, and was a volunteer delivering Friendship Trays to all of ‘the old people’ when she and Paul retired. Her many friends loved to play bridge. For many years Dorothy worked as an office manager for a prominent hand surgeon in Charlotte. In retirement, Dorothy and Paul enjoyed traveling, and participated in ceramics at Saint Ann’s Catholic Church.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Louis G. Bertram, Jr. of Baltimore.

Dorothy is survived by her children, Carol Poetzsch Norris and husband James, Paul B. Poetzsch and wife Melody, John D. Poetzsch and wife Deborah, and Thomas G. Poetzsch and wife Dr. Carol Zoret. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Sharon Norris Churchwell, David Norris, Anne Christine Chesson, Courtney Poetzsch, David Poetzsch, Caroline Poetzsch, and Sarah Poetzsch; and great-grandchildren, Cameron Churchwell, Rhys Churchwell, Graham Norris, Audrey Norris, Griffin Norris, Cassidy Hutchinson and Knox Engler.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 18, 2013 at Saint Ann’s Catholic Church, 3635 Park Road, with the Reverend Timothy S. Reid, Celebrant. The family will receive friends from 1:00-1:45 p.m. prior to the Mass at the church. Burial will be private at Saint Gabriel’s columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Saint Ann Catholic Church, or the Metrolina Association for the Blind: http://mabnc.org/contribute/donate-online.cfm.