Dorothy "Dottie" Harber

Dorothy “Dottie” Harber, age 82, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at BrightStar Senior Living.  Born on November 14, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Doris Elliott.  Dottie married Donald Harber Sr. on March 21, 1958, and together they built a life in Fort Wayne and watched their family grow for 56 years.  Donald passed in 2013, and Dottie was his devoted caregiver until the end.   She worked as a rural mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for over 23 years before retiring.  When not working, Dottie enjoyed traveling extensively with her husband.  She was an avid reader and was known as the “card shark” of the family, as she always came out on the winning end of any card game she played.  Dottie cherished spending time with her eight children and loved being a grandmother and great-grandmother.  Her faith defined her.  She was a member of St. Therese Catholic Church and was actively involved as a prayer couple for Marriage Encounter, Christ Renews His Parish – Pioneer Team, and as a CCD teacher at both St. Aloysius and St. Therese.  Dottie will be missed by all who knew her, especially by the staff at BrightStar Senior Living whom she loved and was loved by.  Left to cherish her memory are her children, Lori (Larry) Mourey, Patricia (John) Fisher, Leslie (Troy) Phillips, Michelle (Greg) Pelz, Susan (Troy) Clem, Donald (Michelle) Harber, Matthew (Taneka Garrett) Harber, and Michael Harber; grandchildren, Jeremy, Amanda, Ashley, Kimberly, Lucas, Megan, Kirsten, Clarissa, Wyatt, Jacob, and Alec; great-grandchildren, Owen, Caden, Analise, Claire, Jonah, Colin, James, Lola, Damien, and Louie; brothers, Harvey “Keith” (Jacque) and Gary Elliott; and sisters, Barbara Rathsack and Janie (Rich) Hertel.  Dottie was preceded in death by her husband Donald; parents; brother, Walter Elliott; and grandson, Joshua.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at St. Therese Catholic Church, 2304 Lower Huntington Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46819 with visitation one hour prior.  Visitation will also be held from 1:30 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 12, 2023, at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN 46805 with a rosary beginning at 1:00 p.m. She will be laid to rest at Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne, at the conclusion of the funeral service. Memorials can be written to the Alzheimer’s Association and to St. Therese Catholic Church for Mass intentions in Dottie’s name.  Fond memories and expressions of sympathy can be left at www.divinemercyfuneralhome.org for the family.