Sasse, Inez Patricia Dorner
Inez Patricia Dorner Sasse, of Blacksburg, dearest friend and beloved wife for 65 years of Richard C. “Dick” Sasse, departed this life on Saturday, March 15, 2008.
Remaining with Dick are their daughters and sons, Barbara and Michael Williams of Blacksburg, Roxana and Richard C. Sasse, Jr. of Providence, Rhode Island and Donna and Robert Siler of Largo, Florida; grandchildren, Gail Sasse and Craig Williams, both of Washington, D.C. and Mary and Kurt Williams of Richmond, Virginia; and her greatest joy of the past two and a half years, her great-grandchildren, Grady Michael and Rosemarie Eileen Williams of Richmond.
Inez was born in Sanford, Florida, November 25, 1918 and grew up in East Rutherford, N.J., where she met and married Dick. During World War II she worked as a secretary at Bell Labs in NYC. In 1948 they moved to Packanack Lake, Wayne, N.J., where she raised her children with humor, imagination, endless patience, encouragement, unconditional love and that most priceless of commodities: time.
She created for her own and all children who entered their home, a happy, secure environment where make-believe was a fact of life. Inez gave generously of her time and talents to many local and national organizations and charities including her church, PTA, hospital guild, Red Cross and Scouts. Always happiest when helping others, she even crossed oceans to help those she loved.
In 1970 Inez and Dick moved to Bethesda, Md., where, to the delight of family and friends, they opened a “Bed & Breakfast” where her sumptuous brownies were a house specialty. Blacksburg became a favorite destination in 1976. Their grandchildren’s school programs, recitals, concerts, sporting events and family milestones prompted numerous visits. It was then that Inez began volunteering at the Montgomery County Christmas Store.
In 1995 Inez and Dick made Blacksburg their home, allowing her to become more active with MCCS and begin volunteering at the Blacksburg High School library.
Since 2005, Inez has been a resident of Heritage Hall in Blacksburg, where other residents and the staff offered her encouragement, by showing their appreciation for her unique ability to communicate warmth and kindness. Her family is grateful for the many nurses, staff members and volunteers who took special care to maintain her spirits, health and dignity.
As her faith was being tested, Inez and her family felt fortunate to have the guidance and calm reassurance of Reverend Reginald Tuck and the many prayers and visits from members of the Blacksburg United Methodist Church.
Inez was preceded in death by her parents, Augusta and Aurel Dorner, sisters Florence Dorner Blake and Jule Dorner Schmidt and brother Neil Dorner. Since September 2005, family and friends have missed her handwritten, personal notes and letters sent with anniversary, birthday and Christmas cards, and now her sparkling blue eyes and radiant smile will be greatly missed, but long remembered, by all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in the memory of Inez Sasse, to the Montgomery County Christmas Store, a place where Inez was truly in her element. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 7 p.m. in the McCoy Funeral Home Chapel, 150 Country Club Drive, SW, Blacksburg.