Dorothy M. Cory, age 81, passed away Sunday (February 29. 2004) in Richmond after a long illness. She was born in Muncie in 1923 and graduated from Burris High School where she was a cast member in the senior play. Mrs. Cory was married to James H. Cory for 52 years before he died unexpectedly in 1995. Her parents, Gladys Clark Minnich and Louis Minnich, as well as her two brothers, Lewis Friddle and Jerry Minnich, are also deceased. . She worked for three years at Warner Gear in Muncie, and four years at Merchant's Trust Company of Muncie.
Dorothy "Dottie" Cory was involved in many activities in Muncie. Several of them were connected to her outstanding musical abilities. Her piano and organ playing entitled her to be a soloist as well as an accompanist for the Honorary Music Sorority and the American Guild of Organists. She was a past president of Matinee Musicale, substitute organist at the family's church, High Street United Methodist, and other area churches. She accompanied the High Street U.M. youth choirs and the Muncie Central High School's Concert Choir during its singing of "The Messiah."
The Corys were members of the Elks Club and Westbrook Country Club where she scored a "hole-in-one," in 1976. Besides her golfing ability, she was also an excellent bowler and earned many trophies. Her volunteer work in Meals on Wheels and Sigma Alpha Iota Sorority earned her more awards. By a careful tracing of her ancestry, she became a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Mr. and Mrs. Cory lived in Muncie until 1977 when they moved to Richmond, Indiana, where Mr. Cory was employed by Richmond Electric. As Dorothy said of herself, "When we first came to Richmond, I didn't know a lot of people, so I joined about everything I was asked into. Consequently, I got in almost over my head." Her accomplished musicianship landed her many situations in which to play. She accompanied the I.U. East Community Chorus, the Masonic Men's Glee Club, and was pianist for the Richmond Civic Theater's performance of "Guys and Dolls." For several years, she was staff accompanist at the vocal studio of Marjorie Johnstone.
In Richmond, as in Muncie, she was substitute organist at area churches and was a member of Central United Methodist Church. She also bowled, golfed, joined a literary club, Criterion Club, three bridge clubs, and a music study group. Besides being a member of the Elks, she joined Women of Moose, Eagles, and D.A.R. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels and even composed a song for the organization to honor award recipients, including herself.
She loved entertaining at home and would make up poems for the invitation cards. Dorothy Cory was a role model for younger people. She was one of the most gifted persons of her contemporaries. At four years old, she began taking piano lessons, and continued playing until a massive stroke she suffered in late 1998.
Her son, James Andrew Cory, of Shreveport, LA, and daughter, Molly Williams, or Marietta, GA, three grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and several nieces and nephews, survive her.
Services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday (March 5, 2004) in Riggle - Waltermann Mortuary (Richmond) Rev. Clyde Hylton will officiate. Burial will be in Elm Ridge Cemetery (Muncie). Friends may call on Thursday (March 4, 2004) from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels, 1401 Chester Blvd. Richmond, IN 47374. www.riggle-waltermann.com