Dorothy "Dot" Starr passed away peacefully on December 21, 2016, with her family by her side, after an unexpected illness.

Dot, 71, wife of William Starr, 73, lived a full and happy life. Married for 49.5 years, they were life partners in every sense. In addition to raising two children, Scott, 46, and Tracey, 43, they spent many years boating on the Chesapeake Bay, and also traveled, enjoying drives throughout the entire US, as well as cruises throughout Europe and the Caribbean.

Born Dorothy Jean Cross in 1945 in Ambridge, PA, Dot graduated from Ambridge High School in 1963, and The Pennsylvania State University in 1966, where she met Bill. They married in 1967, and together moved to Allentown, where she worked as a buyer for Hess's department store, and then to Coopersburg, where she was active with the PTA and the JayCees. In 1984, the family moved to Lebanon, where Dot worked for Century 21 Krall Real Estate, and also volunteered with several organizations, including the Good Samaritan Hospital and Oakview Nursing Home.

In 1999, Dot and Bill retired to Marco Island, FL, where they enjoyed life on the water. Seeking their next adventure, in recent years, they started spending time in the Palm Springs area of California. In 2015, they moved to Indio, CA, where they found their beautiful desert home. They especially enjoyed weekends there with Scott and his wife Ana. They also took several trips with Tracey and her husband Darrell, visiting sights throughout Asia and Europe. Dot had recently joined PEO, a local charitable organization.

Only those closest to Dot knew how much she struggled with MS her entire adult life. Fiercely proud and determined, she battled pain nearly every day to maintain her strength and independence. Preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Matilda Cross, as well as her brother, Robert Butch Cross, Dot is survived by her sister, Mary Evans, as well as several nieces and a nephew. The immediate family will mourn her passing privately, and will hold a memorial service in Pennsylvania in the spring. Arrangements by Keller Funeral Homes, Inc., Fogelsville, PA. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.KellerFuneralHomes.com.

The Starr family asks for nothing but your thoughts and good memories. But, in lieu of flowers, you may consider making a donation in Dot's name to Act for MS, at http://bit.ly/ACTforMS, or the National MS Society, at www.nationalmssociety.org.