Dorothy J. Kiraly 1936-2025

She was born in Youngstown on Jan. 2, 1936, the daughter of the late William P. and Nell G. Gaffney Donahue.

Dorothy graduated in 1954 from Ursuline High School, received her associate degree and started teaching at St. Nicholas School in Struthers.

She married her high school sweetheart, George S. Kiraly, on May 4, 1957, at St. Edward Church. After George returned from the Navy, they started a family in Cornersburg and joined St. Christine Church, where they became Eucharistic ministers and volunteered with various church functions.

After raising her children, Dorothy returned to school to receive a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and special education from Youngstown State University.

Throughout her career, she worked for Easter Seals, as well as the Columbiana, Leetonia and Lisbon school districts. Upon retirement, she was a substitute at St. Christine, where her younger grandchildren delighted in having Grandma as their teacher.

Dorothy was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who always had a sweet treat, cold drink or activity ready for her visitors. She belonged to Seton and her girls’ club. She had a group of special neighbors and friends from church with whom she and George enjoyed many vacations and celebrations.

Dorothy leaves to cherish her memory, her husband George of 68 years; her children, George W. (Jeanne) Kiraly, Doreen (William) Thornton, Patrick (Gina) Kiraly and Mark (Kathy) Kiraly. She also leaves 10 grandchildren, Kelly (John) Frammartino, Katy Kiraly, William Thornton, Carmela (Quentin) Reuter, Maria (Michael) Divito, Patrick Kiraly; Mark Kiraly, Erin (Cain) Dando, Emily (Caleb) Craft and Michael Kiraly; great-grandchildren, Chloe and Daphne Dando, Jacob Thornton, Ellie Kiraly-Lockhart, and Maria, Dominic, Matteo and Rosina Reuter; as well as her brother-in-law, Michael Kiraly; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Megan E. Thornton; her grandson, George W. Kiraly Jr.; her siblings, William F. (Nora) Donahue, Elizabeth “Betty” (Arch) Hasler, Margaret “Marge” (Edward) Scharrer and Marynell Cheek; and her in-laws, Julia (Joseph) Taylor, Stephan (Irene) Kiraly, John (Agnes) Kiraly; sister-in-law, Mary Kiraly; and Joseph (Peg) Kiraly.

Family and friends may call 10 to 11:45 a.m. Monday Nov. 3, 2025, at St. Christine Church, 3165 S. Schenley Ave. Youngstown, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by the Rev. Stephen Zeigler.

Memorial contributions may be made in Dorothy’s name to St. Christine School Scholarship Fund.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St. Boardman. Family and friends of Dorothy may visit www.fox

funeralhome.org to view this obituary and to send condolences to the Kiraly family.

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