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COLUMBUS -- Dora Louise Bailey, age 80, was surrounded by the love of her family when she passed away peacefully Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, after a brief illness.
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1945 to Luisa Echevarria and Pierce Bailey, Dora grew up in Poland and graduated from Poland Seminary High School in 1964. She obtained her master's degree from Youngstown State University and went on to earn a Ph.D. from Kent State University.
Dora was professor of early and middle childhood education at Youngstown State. After retirement, she moved to Columbus, where she painted, drew and gardened.
To her friends and family, Dora was a dutiful caregiver and made a home in which everyone gathered. She was stately and passionate, pragmatic and profound, and embodied intelligence, grace and love.
She is survived by her daughter, Amelia Menk (David) Brown of Columbus; grandchildren, Breyten Cowen and Ada Menk-Brown of Columbus; sister, Margo (Jim) Bailey of Houston, Texas; brother, Pierce (Denyse) Bailey of Falls Church, Virginia; nephew, Clint (Traci) Harpman of Powell; grandnephews, Greyson and Declan Harpman of Powell; niece, Courtney Bailey of Meadeville, Pa.; stepdaughter, Melissa Santia of Cranberry, Pa.; and many loving cousins throughout the country.
Dora's family will gather to celebrate her life in the coming months; in lieu of flowers, the family welcomes contributions to the McConnell Art Center in Worthington, in her memory.
Visit www.egan-ryan.com to offer condolences and view the full obituary.
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