Dorothy Ann Vedrode

Dorothy Ann Vedrode of Saginaw, Michigan

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, August 2, 2025. She was 80 years old. Dorothy Ann Block was born on March 24, 1945, in Saginaw, Michigan, to the late James H. and Euphrosine F. (Olszewski) Block. She was a proud 1959 graduate of St. Mary High School.

Dorothy married her former husband, Thomas Abbott, in the spring of 1965, that union brought three beautiful children: Wendy, Eric, and Jill. While roller-skating, she met the love of her life, James “Burr” David Vedrode. They began dating, fell in love, and were united in marriage on August 24, 1985, uniting two families and gaining a stepdaughter, Heather.

Artistic and creative, Dorothy was both an independent stained-glass artist and worked as the manager of the stained-glass department at Jacobson’s. In the late 1980’s she took a floriculture course and was able to use her imagination to create beautiful and stunning floral arrangements at the Petal Pusher’s Flower Shop. Her little piece of heaven was spending time tending to her flowers and plants in her well-manicured gardens.

The role she treasured and cherished the most was being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Being with her family made her heart feel full and happy. Dorothy made friends wherever she went, creating lifelong bonds with anyone she considered a friend. Even the neighbor children loved Mrs. Dorothy.

A lover of all creatures, Dorothy emulated love for every living thing, including nature. Over the years, both she and Burr enjoyed their nature walks in both the U.P. and through the Shiawassee Wildlife Refuge.

Dorothy will forever be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor, especially regarding her height, for cooking and preparing delicious meals, for being a loving and caring wife, mother, and grandmother, and for truly living an amazing life creating many wonderful memories and stories Throughout her life.

Surviving are her husband of 41 years, James “Burr” D. Vedrode of Saginaw; four children: Wendy McQuade of Savannah, GA; Eric Abbott of Saginaw; Jill Bolger of Saginaw; Heather (Michael) Stasa of Saginaw; six grandchildren: Benjamin McQuade, Matthew Abbott, Shayna Rose McQuade, Mark Bolger, Abram Stasa, and Takota Abbott; two great-grandchildren: Matthew and Lila Abbott; a brother, James (Nancy) Block of Ontonagon; a sister, Susan (Ralph) Johnson of Freeland; a brother-in-law, Mike Bosky of Arizona; three brothers-in-law: Joseph (Terry Clark) Vedrode, John (Donna) Vedrode, and Jeffery (Sandy) Vedrode; and a sister-in-law, Jacquelyn Vedrode. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends too numerous to mention but held closely to her heart.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Euphrosine Block; two sisters: Jeanne Bosky and Betty Cook; a sister-in-law, Jennifer Alridge; and a brother-in-law, Jerome Vedrode.

Honoring Dorothy’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will take 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at the W. L. Case and Company Funeral Directors, 4480 Mackinaw Rd., Saginaw, MI 48603. Rev. Ted McCulloch will officiate. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the funeral home on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to perform a simple random act of kindness or they may donate to a charity of their choice. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.casefuneralhome.com.