Dorothy Mangos

Dorothy Sotiro Mangos

July 8, 1921  -  February 4, 2021

Dorothy Mangos, 99, of Media, PA, completed her life on earth on February 4, 2021. She lived her life with love of family, compassion and a strong desire to help others. Dorothy was given the gift of many years living a healthy life to the age of 99-1/2 and was one of America’s “Greatest Generation”.

Born on July 8, 1921 in Norristown, PA, she was daughter to Mary and George Sotiro who had emigrated from the Greek Islands. Dorothy’s father passed away during the Great Depression when Dorothy was 11 and her sister Helen was 6 years old. Since her mother could not read English, Dorothy helped with reading the mail and paying the family bills at this very young age.

Dorothy grew up fast helping her mother run the household and attended Pierce Business School after graduating from high school in Norristown in 1939. She married John Mangos on September 15, 1940.

Together they raised two sons, Peter and George. The family moved from Philadelphia to Springfield, Delaware County in 1960 where they became founding members of St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church in Broomall.  John became Treasurer and soon after Dorothy became the Parish secretary and held that position for 5 years. She was also a long-time member of the church choir.

Later in life Dorothy pursued her passion for art by volunteering in the Art-Goes-To-School program in the Springfield School District. For 15 years, she brought full-size reproductions of masterpieces into the elementary school classrooms, exposing the little ones to the fine artwork of Michelangelo, Renoir, Van Gogh, da Vinci, Picasso and others. She also served as program chairwoman.

Dorothy and her husband moved to Riddle Village from Springfield in 1998. She continued local volunteering at the Riddle Village library as well as at Riddle Hospital in the HR department. She was involved in many activities including chorus, getting together with friends for scrabble games, and attending presentations which she found very interesting.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, John Mangos (2001).

Dorothy is survived by her sister Helen Seiss (Gus); sons Peter (Mickey) and George (Roberta); grandchildren Brian, Stephen (Erica), Michael (Kay) and Kristy Fox (Trenton) and great-grandchildren Ethan, Rachael, Tai and Ken.

Dorothy was always happiest when she could spend time with her four grandchildren and her four great grandchildren.  Her final words in an autobiography that she penned should give us all great solace.  “Don’t be sad when I pass” she wrote.  “I have had a good life.  Let your memory of me be a happy one.”

Dorothy will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Her Funeral service will be private.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church, 35 N. Malin Rd Broomall, PA 19008.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dorothy Mangos, please visit our floral store.