Dorothy M.?Leier, 80,?died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her family at home?in Apex, North Carolina?on?October 8, 2018.
Born?in the Bronx on April 16, 1938, she was the daughter of Herbert and Margaret Grill. She attended Catholic school and graduated from Holy Name in New?York City.
After?graduating?at the top of her class from Wood School, alsoin New York?City, she?worked as an?executive?assistant?at various companies, primarily?IBM, and?ended?her work?career as an Executive Assistant with the Office of the Commissioner of Westchester County.
After she and George?Leier?were married, they?moved to Rye,?where?they?raised their family. At home,?she cared for her husband, children,?and their friends;?at school,?she volunteered her time freely;?and?at?St. John?s Episcopal Church in Larchmont, she?volunteered her time generously in various capacities. Her friends and neighbors remember her as a champion of the underdog, always willing to help; her closest neighbor dubbed her ?Crusader Rabbit?.
In 1982, the?Leiers?moved to Raleigh, where they?both becamecommunicants at the Church of the Good Shepherd. She brought her?mother?to live with?them?and cared for her in her home until her passing.
Following a 1983 airplane crash in which her husband and daughter were severely injured,?Mrs.?Leier?devoted herself to their care. She then returned to work as an?executive assistant at Paul B.?Williams, an office products manufacturer,?and on?site at IBM.?When a?dear friend?of hers was?diagnosed with cancer, she stepped in and?ran?her store,?which consigned and sold gently used items for children.
Her family said, ?Her love of children was evident in all she did. She enjoyed her children, grandchildren,?and great-grandchild immensely. They held her heart always.?
Dorothy?Leier?was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, George?Leier?Jr. She?is survived by?her?three children, George?Leier?III of Maryland, Margaret?Elizabeth?Leier,?and Karen Ann?Leier?Kuhns,?both?of?Raleigh,?and their respective families.
Donations in her memory may be made?to St.?Jude?s Children?s Hospital.
