Dorothy Gerlach Sopher, 96, formerly of Valencia, died Wednesday at St John Specialty Care Center, Mars.

Born Aug. 16, 1909, in Slippery Rock, she was the daughter of Frank Burton and Nannie Morrison Gerlach.

She was a "gray lady" at the first Passavant Hospital in Pittsburgh. In addition to the many hours spent volunteering at the hospital, she was a volunteer at the Lighthouse Foundation.

Mrs. Sopher also was one of the first female elders at the Presbyterian Church in Brookline.

She was the loving mother of Marjorie Bean and Janet (Dr. W. Paul) Eckstein, both of Florida, and Carol (Matthew) Gray of McCandless. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

She was the beloved wife of the late Gerald M. Sopher. She also was preceded in death by a brother, Earl Gerlach; a sister, Margaret Wigton, and son-in-law, William E. Bean.

SOPHER — Friends of Dorothy Gerlach Sopher, who died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006, will be received from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the SCHELLHAAS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, 5864 Heckert Road, Bakerstown. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown, Route 8 at Heckert Road. The Rev. Theodore Martin will officiate. Please meet at the church. Burial will follow at Jefferson Memorial Park, Pleasant Hills.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown, P.O. Box 127, Bakerstown, PA 15007; or the Lighthouse Foundation, P.O. Box 366, Bakerstown, PA 15007.Please pay tribute at www.schellhaasfh.com.