Dorothy (Stefanik) Fix, 85, passed away on May 8, 2018. Dorothy was the second of nine children born to Paul and Helen (Tenczar) Stefanik in Holyoke, MA. Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 65 years, Vernon Hubert Fix; her children, Linda Nielsen (Bill), Mark Fix (Bonnie), and Melanie Fix, all of Virginia Beach, VA, and Lee Fix (Renee) of Duncan, SC; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and numerous other family members and friends.

Growing up, Dorothy was active in 4-H and Junior Achievement and sang in the A Capella Choir, and later in the Mater Dolorosa Church choir. In between those activities, she worked at her mother’s store, “Ma’s Bait Shop,” scooping out night crawlers and minnows for the local fishermen. After high school, she met and married a young Naval Aviation Technician, who moved her and their growing family all over the U.S. until settling in Virginia Beach in 1972.

Dorothy always had music in her life and in her heart. She was a dedicated choir member of Church of the Ascension for over 40 years and volunteered for many years at the Lynnshores and Riverpoint Nursing Homes, playing guitar and leading sing-alongs. She loved family camping trips and always had her guitar to contribute to campfire festivities. Now her beautiful voice will be heard in Heaven’s choir.

A funeral mass and celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 25, 2018, at Church of the Ascension, 4853 Princess Anne Rd, Virginia Beach. Her ashes will be buried next to her mother’s grave at Mater Dolorosa Cemetery in South Hadley, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Dorothy’s name may go to charities supporting dementia research. Online condolences may be offered to the family at pilotonline.com/obituaries.