Mrs. Mary Ann Dorn passed away Monday, October 16, 2017, after a long battle with Multiple Myeloma. Her cancers were caused by being down wind of the Nevada Nuclear testing site as a child. She and every soul in the town of Miami, Arizona were ‘Down Winders’ and certified US Government Radiation victims.
The family will receive visitors at the home of her daughter, Allison Brown, 6000 Hampton Ridge Road, Columbia, on Wednesday, October 18th from 5:30 – 8:00 pm. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date at the home of her daughter, Stephanie Kokal, in Greenfield, New Hampshire. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Chapel, is assisting the family.
She was born in Camden, Arkansas on February 11, 1938 and was the daughter of the late James Samuel Talley and Anna Dell Robbins Talley.
Mrs. Dorn worked as a secretary for a large lumber company and with the help of loving relatives was able to scrape together the money needed to attend Braniff International Airways flight attendant school.
After working for the airline for two years she met and married Lt. Del Dorn and began her career as an Air Force officer’s wife. During that time, she lived in Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, Japan and South Carolina.
Upon moving back to Columbia, Mrs. Dorn began her career as a homemaker and what is now known as a ‘home renovator’. She single handedly renovated two large homes in the 1970’s making them show places.
Always a lady, Mrs. Dorn was known for her great beauty and her impeccable style and grace. She was a tremendous hostess and threw many memorable parties. She was also a Meals on Wheels volunteer for many years in Columbia.
Known as Grandma Ann, Mrs. Dorn was a lifelong nature lover and passed that love on to her five grandsons and the many children whose lives she touched. She was quick to laugh and enjoyed all of the characters whom she met during her life and travels.
She was widowed in 1984 when her husband was killed in an F-16 crash just a few miles from their home in Horrell Hill, SC. The flight path was directly over her home which she was in at the time of the crash.
Mrs. Dorn is survived by her daughters, Stephanie Ann Kokal (Andrej) and Allison Dorn Brown (Marty); five grandsons, Erik Kokal (Kayla), Kristopher Kokal, Nikolas Kokal (Kristi), Jones Brown (Christine) and Dorn Brown (Lucy); great grandchildren, Kailyn Kokal and Kolton Kokal; sister-in-law, Mary Dell Talley and nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Lt. Colonel Yeadon Delgar Dorn, Jr.; her beloved brother, Paul Robert Talley; her sister, Hazel Baim Bidwell; and brother, Freeman Copeland Talley.
A very special thanks to her loving nephew, Robert Talley, who along with her daughters held a 19 day vigil at her bedside. Also, the family wishes to thank the many doctors and caring nurses and staff at SC Oncology Associates, especially Nicole Hendry for her sweet compassion and care. And, finally a thank you to Regina Jones for her quiet grace and strength these last few months. We thank you all.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you consider a donation to Pets, Inc., Meals on Wheels, or Homeworks of America (Columbia).
Memories and condolences may be shared at ShivesFuneralHome. com.
