Paula S. Dorsch
Paula S. Dorsch, 81, of Butler, passed away suddenly at home on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021.
Born Oct. 16, 1940, in Crucible, Pa., she was the daughter of the late George Patrick Savanick and Pauline (Cormack) Savanick.
Paula graduated from Cumberland Township High School in 1958, and Uniontown Hospital Nursing School in 1961. Paula obtained her B.S. in education from Slippery Rock University in 1973.
She enjoyed a decades-long career as a nurse at various Pittsburgh hospitals, including Mercy, Presbyterian and North Hills Passavant. She culminated her health care career as a school nurse with the Butler Area School District. She remained very busy in retirement, with family and a large and diverse group of friends.
Nursing was not Paula's only passion. She shared a love of music with her beloved late husband, Ronald, to whom she was married for 38 years. Doo-wop music was a favorite. She loved singing, belonging to many musical groups, including the “Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus” and most recently, the St. Fidelis/All Saints Parish Choir and Contemporary Band.
Paula supported many charitable causes but was a particularly great supporter of education, establishing scholarships at Butler Community College School of Nursing and North Catholic High School.
Paula enjoyed reading, especially mysteries. She traveled extensively, including many trips to Europe. Paula loved genealogy and was the self-appointed archivist for her family. Her guiding principle was “Nothing is lost forever … not a good deed or a bad, not a kind or unkind thought, nor a person you have loved …”
Paula adored going out to eat, always ordered too many appetizers, and began every meal with the familiar toast “Nostrovia.” She will truly be missed by her family and friends.
Paula was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Ronald.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory her sister, Rita (Donald) Savanick Aubin; her brothers, Patrick (Mary Stella deceased) Savanick, George Savanick and John (Ellen) Savanick; and her nieces and nephews, Erich (Crystal) Savanick, Christa (Bobby) Tsui, Danielle Aubin (Matt) Shedlick, Noelle (Randy) Sprouse, Patrick (Dana) Aubin, Anne-Marie (Ian) Aubin-Slinkman, Paul (Christin) Aubin, Michael Savanick, Maria (Dale) Lewis, Mary (Ken) Brettmann, Suzanne (Rick) Hansen, Margaret “Peggy” (Joseph) Guiney, Patricia (Mark) Anderson, Donald (Julie) Graham, Maureen (John) Carroll, Susan (Terry) Milligan, Kathleen (Keith) McMillen, Charles Dorsch, Sharon (David) Jacox and Christine Hoffman.
DORSCH — Friends of Paula S. Dorsch, who died Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, will be received from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Boylan Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Connoquenessing Township, 856 Evans City Road, Renfrew.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at All Saints Parish, St. Conrad Roman Catholic Church, 125 Buttercup Road, Meridian, with the Rev. John Baver officiating.
Paula will be laid to rest with her beloved husband at St. Mary's Cemetery in Pittsburgh.
Memorial donations may be made to The Ronald Dorsch Memorial Scholarship Fund, North Catholic High School, 1617 Route 228, Cranberry Township, PA 16066; or the Butler County Community College Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1203, Butler, PA 16003; or St. Vincent DePaul Society, 146 N. Monroe St., Butler, PA 16001. Please include a note “In Memory of Paula S. Dorsch.”
Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.boylanfuneralservices.com.
