Obituary for Dorothy May Trogan
Went to be with the Lord on January 31, 2021 at age 99 at Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital, after a brief illness. Dorothy May Trogan (née Valentine) was born on October 10, 1921 to Henry and Frances Valentine of Brandt, Michigan. She was sister to brothers George and Lloyd Valentine.
Dorothy was preceded in passing by her husband, Richard, and son, Marc. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Marilyn, daughter, Doty (Roger), four grandchildren: Joy (Kevin) Dobson, Holly (James) Brandle, Eric (Megan) Sinclair and Marin Sinclair. She also leaves behind seven great grandchildren: Isabella, Brooklyn, Britton Dobson; Kayla Sinclair, Joseph Crew Pircon, Christopher Barnard, and John Brandle.
Dorothy was best known as the “hostess with the mostest” at Rodeitchers Restaurant in Freeland, Michigan. Her uniqueness came from knowing that she was more than the lovely, endearing woman so many came to know and love. She was smart, involved, caring, compassionate and led her life with a commitment to helping the people and the community she served. She fed the hungry, housed the homeless and gave a second chance to those re-joining society after incarceration. Virtually everyone she met
became a friend and a part of her extended family. She was the first employer for many young people in the town of Freeland, giving a gentle (or not) ear tug to those who got out of line.
Prior to owning and running the restaurant for 40 years, Dorothy owned and operated three beauty salons in Saginaw, and was the President of the Saginaw Hairdressers Cosmetology Association and President of the businesswomen’s sorority, Beta Sigma Phi. She enlisted for service in World War II (although never served) and was recognized for her support during the war. During her restaurant years, she was the President and Director on the Board of the Saginaw Valley Chapter of Michigan
Restaurant Association, member of the Executive Board of the Michigan State Restaurant Association, Chairman of Scholarship & Education Committee and Public Relations for the Michigan Restaurant Association, President of the Freeland Division of Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the following: Committee to Institute Millage for Mosquito Control, Advisory Board of Northwood Institute Hospitality
Program, Private Industry Council, Michigan Employment Security Commission Employer Council and was an honoree and regent in the Michigan Republican Women’s Association.
Despite her full life, she held true to her humble beginnings, and her family was always her greatest source of happiness. She loved the Valentine reunions held on family farms, often with everyone camping out for the weekend to spend as much time together as possible. She never missed her grandchildren’s sporting events, concerts and dance recitals. She loved to fish, cook and travel. Some of her favorite trips included a fly-in fishing camp in Canada, a cooking school in Tuscany with her daughter (at age 90), tour of Asia and Hawaii, and a three-day white-water rafting trip down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon (at age 70).
Dorothy was strong and stubborn in the most loving way and continued driving until months before her death. In fact, the last time she drove was to vote in the 2020 Presidential Election. She never missed Election Day. She was a pioneer for women in business and politics in the State of Michigan.
Her family and friends will forever keep her close in their hearts and minds. She was one in a million and will never be forgotten. There will be a celebration of her life on what would have been her 100th birthday, October 10, 2021 at the Freeland Memorial Park Building.
Dorothy was preceded in passing by her husband, Richard, and son, Marc. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Marilyn, daughter, Doty (Roger), four grandchildren: Joy (Kevin) Dobson, Holly (James) Brandle, Eric (Megan) Sinclair and Marin Sinclair. She also leaves behind seven great grandchildren: Isabella, Brooklyn, Britton Dobson; Kayla Sinclair, Joseph Crew Pircon, Christopher Barnard, and John Brandle.
Dorothy was best known as the “hostess with the mostest” at Rodeitchers Restaurant in Freeland, Michigan. Her uniqueness came from knowing that she was more than the lovely, endearing woman so many came to know and love. She was smart, involved, caring, compassionate and led her life with a commitment to helping the people and the community she served. She fed the hungry, housed the homeless and gave a second chance to those re-joining society after incarceration. Virtually everyone she met
became a friend and a part of her extended family. She was the first employer for many young people in the town of Freeland, giving a gentle (or not) ear tug to those who got out of line.
Prior to owning and running the restaurant for 40 years, Dorothy owned and operated three beauty salons in Saginaw, and was the President of the Saginaw Hairdressers Cosmetology Association and President of the businesswomen’s sorority, Beta Sigma Phi. She enlisted for service in World War II (although never served) and was recognized for her support during the war. During her restaurant years, she was the President and Director on the Board of the Saginaw Valley Chapter of Michigan
Restaurant Association, member of the Executive Board of the Michigan State Restaurant Association, Chairman of Scholarship & Education Committee and Public Relations for the Michigan Restaurant Association, President of the Freeland Division of Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the following: Committee to Institute Millage for Mosquito Control, Advisory Board of Northwood Institute Hospitality
Program, Private Industry Council, Michigan Employment Security Commission Employer Council and was an honoree and regent in the Michigan Republican Women’s Association.
Despite her full life, she held true to her humble beginnings, and her family was always her greatest source of happiness. She loved the Valentine reunions held on family farms, often with everyone camping out for the weekend to spend as much time together as possible. She never missed her grandchildren’s sporting events, concerts and dance recitals. She loved to fish, cook and travel. Some of her favorite trips included a fly-in fishing camp in Canada, a cooking school in Tuscany with her daughter (at age 90), tour of Asia and Hawaii, and a three-day white-water rafting trip down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon (at age 70).
Dorothy was strong and stubborn in the most loving way and continued driving until months before her death. In fact, the last time she drove was to vote in the 2020 Presidential Election. She never missed Election Day. She was a pioneer for women in business and politics in the State of Michigan.
Her family and friends will forever keep her close in their hearts and minds. She was one in a million and will never be forgotten. There will be a celebration of her life on what would have been her 100th birthday, October 10, 2021 at the Freeland Memorial Park Building.