Dorothy Evelyn Hostler

Dorothy Evelyn Hostler passed away in Waltham, MA, on September 30, 2024, at the age of 92. She was preceded in death by Levere, her beloved husband of fifty-six years.

Dorothy was born in a small Finnish community in the town of Gackle, North Dakota, and spoke little English until she started school in a one-room schoolhouse. As a young girl, she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her parents, Laila and Andrew Sarkinen, and her siblings.

After Dorothy married Levere in 1967, they moved to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he became a physics professor at Wilkes University.  During their early years there, Dorothy reveled in taking classes and earned her B.A. in English from Wilkes. Through her classes, Dorothy became extremely interested in nutrition and the possible harmful effects of fluoride, topics she would follow for the rest of her life. She wrote poetry, which she shared with family and friends. Dorothy also loved taking walks with Levere while he talked about his latest physics research and participating in his sabbatical terms at other universities in the northeast.

In 2013, Dorothy and Levere moved to Newton, Massachusetts, to be near their daughter and family. Dorothy was delighted to live in the same city as her great grandsons so that she could spend time with them. At family events, they would gather near her to build their Lego kits.        

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Beth Wilkinson, and her husband, Hugh; her granddaughter, Hillary Tsibris, and her husband, Athe; and her great grandsons, William and Andrew. As well as many nieces and nephews. Dorothy was pre-deceased by her four siblings: Maynard, Jo, Vivian, and Chuck.

The family will hold a private celebration of Dorothy’s life at Newton Cemetery.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Dorothy Evelyn Hostler, please visit our Tree Store.