Dorothy Kociban

Dorothy Ann Kociban, 82, of Sun City Center, Florida passed away on February 26, 2025 surrounded by her family. She was born on April 15, 1942 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the late Mary (Kondis) and George D. Shiner.

She grew up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh and graduated from Sacred Heart High School. Dorothy continued her education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in education. In college, she was an active member of Beta Sigma Omicron and many of her “sisters” were her lifelong friends.

Dorothy was married for 56 years to her college sweetheart, Ernie, and together they raised their three children, Ken, Kristen and Kiera in Hatfield, Pennsylvania. Dorothy could always be found supporting her family. She loved volunteering at her children’s school, including library and lunch duty, as well as substitute teaching. Family and faith were of the utmost importance to Dorothy. She was a long-time and devoted member of St. Maria Goretti Parish, where she volunteered on the welcoming and finance committees. Dorothy’s career followed a few different paths, but through it all she was always a teacher. She taught elementary school and later was a director for a before and after school program, where she was responsible for the overall programming until she retired.

Dorothy was a dedicated sports fan and her favorite teams were the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates. She was always there to support her children in their various activities, whether it was at a swim meet, on the football or baseball field, at a dance recital or during a cheerleading competition. She took great joy in these moments. She loved to sew and was highly skilled at it! She designed and created her own wedding dress, as well her daughters’ prom dresses. Dorothy loved to travel. Some of her favorite trips were to Paris, Barcelona, Prague, Alaska, Hawaii, California and the Panama Canal. But it was the yearly vacations to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Rock Hall, Maryland and Capon Springs, West Virginia with her family and closest friends that were near and dear to her heart.

After retirement, Dorothy remained extremely active. When Dorothy moved to Sun City Center, Florida, she immediately became involved with the Information Center where she could meet new residents and share her passion for the community. She also enjoyed playing cards and socializing with her friends. Dorothy loved being a retiree, however her favorite moniker was “Gramma” or “Nana”. She took advantage of any opportunity that she could to spend time with her eight grandchildren and she had pictures of them throughout her house and spoke of them daily. In Dorothy’s mind, nothing was off limits for her grandchildren. She said “yes” to everything, loved playing games, going on trips, planning adventures, cheering them on at their games and activities and just making sure that they knew how much she loved them. She was their biggest cheerleader and supporter and would do anything for her grandchildren.

Dorothy is survived by her children, Kenneth Kociban, Kristen Lade (Jeffrey), Kiera Mathey (Stephen); grandchildren, Zachary, Noah and Alexis Kociban, Katherine and Jacob Lade, Brendan, Anna Jane and Caroline Mathey; siblings, Janet Ditmore and George Shiner; sisters-in-law, Marion Kociban and Elaine Hill; as well as many extended family members and countless friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Dorothy’s honor to Saint Maria Goretti Parish, 1601 Derstine Road, Hatfield, PA 19440, via check (indicating Dorothy’s name on the memo line) or online at stmariagoretti.net, click the drop-down for Parish Collections, and select the Memorial Donation Fund.