Dorothea Jaye "Dolly" Penrose-Pettit

On December 5, 2020 Dorothea Jaye “Dolly” Penrose/Pettit passed away at Paoli Memorial Hospital, Paoli PA surrounded by the brave doctors and nurses who cared for her during her last days.

Dorothea was born April 2, 1925 to Gus Bortsalas and Rose Delpino/Bortsalas of West Chester.  Upon her arrival home older brothers George and Harry affectionately nicknamed her “Dolly” which was adopted by friends and family from then on.

Dolly graduated from West Chester High School going on to earn a bachelors degree in Chemistry with honors from West Chester University.  She continued her education at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital receiving a degree in medical laboratory science. Shortly after graduating Dolly began her medical career at Chester County Hospital where she would later volunteer for another 16 years after retiring.

During WWII Dolly supported the war effort by volunteering at the USO, awaiting the day in 1948 when she could marry the love of her life Charles (Penny) Penrose. Dolly and Penny raised four children together: Charles, Robert, Barbara and Joanne. Many of the women in the WC neighborhood would comment, “I don’t know how she does it, gets four kids and husband off to school/work, wash on the line and walks out to work in a starched white nurses uniform with perfect hair”.

Dolly was a strong woman devoted to pursuing life with zeal and excellence especially when it came to family and friends. She would lose Penny at the early age of 47 but would continue to raise her teenage children as a single parent for five years before marrying Fred Pettit who had two adult children Ann (Rich) and Debbie (George).

She would end her medical technology career of over 30 years at Embreeville State Hospital where she provided medical services to the most needy, the mentally disabled. 

After retirement she would go on to enjoy life with Fred, traveling, playing games with friends and spending time with her grand children and great grand children.  At her ninety birthday she was affectionately serenaded by 100+ family members, friends and relatives to the show tune ”Hello Dolly”.

She is survived by sons Charles and Robert Penrose (Anne), daughters Barbara Petruzzi and Joanne Brethaurer (James), Grand Children: Shauna Daniels, Erica Miller, Audra Penrose, Harrison and Annie Penrose,  Genna and Evan Petruzzi, Lauren and Austin Brethaurer and GG Children: Ryann, Danika, Liam and Harper Jaye. 

Dolly will be missed by her family, her friends and anyone who ever met her.  Dorothea Jaye was truly a remarkable person and the world is a better place for her having been in it. 

Relatives and Friends are invited to her visitation on Saturday, January 16, 2021 from 10:00 am - 10:45 am at St. Agnes Church 233 W. Gay St. West Chester, PA 19380, followed by her Funeral Service at 11:00 am. Live streaming of her Funeral Service will be available here https://youtu.be/MC6o2uz9O1s

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kennett Square Senior Center 427 S. Walnut St. Kennett Square Pa. 19348 attn S D'Amico and or The Chester County Hospital Foundation 701 E. Marshall St. West Chester, Pa 19380

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. of West Chester, PA 610-696-1181; www.DellaFH.com.