Dorothy L. “Dottie” Grant, of Vero Beach, passed away peacefully on Oct. 11, 2014, at VNA Hospice House of Indian River County.
She is survived by her beloved sons, David H. Stier and Michael F. Stier, both of New York City, N.Y.; and her sister Lynn Joan Smith of Gladwyn, Penn.; niece Amy Frost of Tunbridge, Vt.; nephew, Douglas Smith of Gladwyn, Penn.; daughter-in-law, Reed Elfenbein of New York City, N.Y.; brother-in-law, A. Gilmore Smith of Gladwyn, Penn.; her second husband, Al Grant; and her step-son Sean Grant of New York City, N.Y.
She was predeceased by her 19 month old son, Thomas E. Stier and her first husband, Fred Stier.
She will be remembered as a smart, talented, energetic, warm and loving individual. In addition to family members, Grant was loved and admired by the many friends she made throughout her life.
Born on June 3, 1935, in Philadelphia, Penn., Grant was the daughter of the late Eugene and Muriel Lieberman. She attended the Lea School in West Philadelphia and graduated from Friends’ Central School, Wynnewood, Penn., in 1953 where she was Class President, Editor of the literary magazine, student director, and active in team sports.
She began her professional career as Assistant Publicity Director for the CBS affiliate, WCAU-TV, Philadelphia. She was also active in local theater groups. In the mid-1960s she started her journalism career with the Main Line Times and Suburban and Wayne Times as a features writer and cooking and dining columnist.
In the mid-1970s, Grant began a new career in the hospitality recruitment business, starting with Hospitality Personnel, Inc. in King of Prussia, Penn., and then moving to New York City in 1981 to continue with another firm. In 1982 she went to work for Manhattan East Suite Hotels in New York City as their first Director of Human Resources.
In 1990, she and her second husband, Al Grant, moved to Milford, Penn., where she established a private consulting business within the hospitality industry. She also owned and operated an antique shop with her sister Lynn.
In the mid-90s she became Human Resources Director for the Sorrento Cheese Company in Goshen, Penn., and resumed her journalism career as a features writer for the Pocono Record. In 2002, Grant moved to Vero Beach, to begin a new and active stage of her life.
Her years in Vero Beach were spent working at several law firms, volunteering at the Vero Beach Art Museum, feature writing for the TCPalm Newspaper and most significantly, as a member of the congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach, where she served on several committees including Emerson Center and Ministerial Search. In addition, she was an avid supporter of the local music and cultural scene in and around Vero Beach.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 3 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach, 1590 27th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32960. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: VNA Hospice House of Indian river County, 901 37th St, Vero beach, FL. 32960 www.vnatc.com. Or the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach, 1590 27th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32960 www.uufvb.org. An online guestbook is available at www.lowtherfuneralhome.com.
