Obituary of Julia Dodds

Julia Ann Dodds, February 14, 1932 – March 26, 2015 Julia Dodds, a gentle, kind and gracious wife and mother, went peacefully into eternal life surrounded by her loving family on Thursday March 26, 2015 in Mechanicsburg, PA. Julia was born in Greensburg, PA, daughter of the late Richard V. and Sophia Brahosky, and married Gerald Cribbs Dodds at St. Vincent Basilica on August 17, 1957. She and her husband made their home in State College, PA for most of the years between 1959 and 2014 where she engaged her passions for art and gardening and utilized her skill in retail fashion at Bostonian Ltd., Levine’s Mens Shop and Miller’s Womens Shop. In her later years she donated much time to Our Lady of Victory Pre-School and St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Shop. Julia’s greatest joy in life was her husband and their four sons. She was a devoted and loving mother to her children and their families and always watched out for others in need in her community. She instilled a strong sense of compassion in all the lives she touched and will be greatly missed. Julia is survived by her adoring husband Gerald, their four sons and their families: Gerald Clement Dodds and Lorraine Erskine-Dodds of Tampa, FL and their children Kelsey, Ryan and Sophia; Christopher Vincent and Mary Jane Dodds of Piedmont, CA and their children William and Andrew; Eric Paul Dodds of Mechanicsburg, PA and his son Dante; Kurt Michael and Meredith Dodds of Philadelphia, PA and daughter Natalie. Julia is also survived by her two loving sisters and their families, Betty B. Tornatore of State College, PA and Dorothy M. Monta of Monroeville, PA as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Richard, John and Albert Brahosky. Visitation will be held Monday, March 30 from 2:00-4:00 PM and 6:00-8:00 PM at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S Atherton Street, State College, PA. Funeral mass will be at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at Our Lady of Victory Church, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College, PA with Father Neil Dadey officiating. Committal service will follow at Pine Hall Cemetery, West College Avenue, State College, PA. Donations in Julia’s name may be made to St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Shop, 526 Westerly Parkway, State College, PA 16801. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.