Brita Ann Smith Dorn of Youngsville, PA, formerly of Barnes, PA passed away on Sunday August 25, 2019. Brita was born December 2, 1928 in Buffalo, NY to Howard C. and Brita Rose Murray Smith. She was a graduate of Buffalo Seminary (an all-girls high school) and earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Cornell University. She was a chemist at the Saranac Laboratory of the Trudeau Foundation in Saranac Lake, helping to find a cure for tuberculosis. Brita also tested proteins in foods in Richmond, VA and tested concrete for the state of New York. While living in Barnes, Brita was a teacher’s aid at Allegheny Valley Elementary School.
Brita was an active member of the First United Methodist Church since 1965. She also participated with the Allegheny Outdoors Club for about 40 years. She was an avid bird watcher and had a passion for sailing. She loved her family, her gardens, hiking mountains in the Adirondacks and abroad, canoeing in the boundary waters of Minnesota, the Adirondacks, and the Alleghenies, flower arranging, and finishing the crossword puzzles in the New York Times.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Donald E. Dorn, whom she married April 18, 1952 in Buffalo, N.Y., and their two children, David (Caroline) Dorn of Warren, PA and Susan E. Dorn and her husband Roman Lesiw of University Park, MD; five grandchildren, Stephanie (Kyle) Rugg of Danbury, CT, Sophie (William) Riddle of Clearfield, PA, Philip Dorn of Bluffton, SC, Alexander Lesiw and Larissa Lesiw of University Park, MD; and one great grandson, Peter William Riddle.
Visitation will be held in the parlors at First United Methodist Church, 200 Market Street, Warren, PA, on Friday, August 30, 2019, from 5-6pm and on Saturday, August 31, 2019, from 9:30am until 11am at which time a funeral service will be conducted by Rev. Dr. Mark E. Hecht, Pastor, and Jon Swart, former associate pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church to the Carillon Fund, or the Adirondack Chapter of the Nature Conservatory, 8 Nature Way, Keene Valley, NY 12943. The Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. Email condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com.
Dear Dorn family:
I was so shocked to hear of Brita Ann’s passing. There were so many things I learned about her in the obituary. She was truly a remarkable woman. She was always so interested in extended family. Please know that I am thinking of you during this difficult time . Love, Molly and the entire Wadsworth family
Don, Sue and Dave,
I was saddened to read about the passing of Brita.
Don , you and Brita were good friends with my parents for so many years. Dad and Mom appreciated your friendship and fellowship during their life in Warren. My last memory of Brita and you, Don is a very good one. You both came to my mothers funeral and I enjoyed being able to sit and talk with you. I remember Don you saying, I will probably never see you again, so tell us, how are you and where are you these days. After our conversation I watched you both walk out the door together.
A good memory for me .
Sue and Dave, my deepest sympathies on the passing of your mother. She was a good lady.
Dave Oelslager
Dave
Thanks for your heartfelt note. I will read it to my dad as it will comfort him. I remember how close your parents and mine had been.
If you find yourself in Warren, do give me a call.
Regards,
David
I too learned a lot about Brita from the obituary, and she was truly a remarkable lady. My association with her was always a smile and pleasant conversation. My sincere condolences to the entire family.
An accomplished, understated lady, and always so gracious. I can see where so much of the strength, intelligence and strong family values were nurtured. Great family and I feel for your loss.
A remarkable woman and life. Our deepest sympathy.