Dorothy V. Koch

Dorothy V. Koch, “Dottie”, 95, of Manchester, NH died Saturday, January 21, 2023 at RiverWoods, Manchester with family by her side after a period of declining health.

She was born on May 19, 1927, in Ilion, NY, the daughter of Catherine (Rice) and Harold Van Siclen and raised in Cooperstown and Douglaston, NY. Dottie graduated from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY where she was a member of an early women’s ski team. It was also where she met her husband Warren Koch, to whom she was married for more than 73 years.

Dottie worked at US Rubber and Equitable Insurance companies, but the bulk of her adult life was devoted to raising a family and participating in myriad community activities. While living on Long Island, NY and later in NJ she led adult leadership programs for the Girl Scouts. When Dottie moved to Manchester, NH in 1990 she became an active volunteer at Grace Episcopal Church and the Elliot Hospital. She especially enjoyed being a Currier Museum of Art docent.

Dottie’s life revolved around her family, and she and Warren found great joy in their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Some of her favorite times were weeks spent with extended family at Camp Canaras in the Adirondacks. She was active and creative, playing golf and taking painting lessons well into her 80s. Dottie had a wonderful sense of humor and was always forthright in her advice and opinions.

She is survived by her loving husband Warren Koch; daughter Barbara Hickok and husband Jeffrey, of Manchester; son Lawrence Koch and wife Patricia, of Savannah, GA; four grandchildren: Elizabeth H. Moser and husband Link, of Loudon, NH; Andrew Hickok and wife Andrea Klayman, of Cape Elizabeth, ME; Peter Koch and wife Anna Baker, of Parker, CO; and Madeline Koch and partner John Mardiat,  of Alexandria, VA; and eight great-grandchildren: Lily, Henry, Eve, Elsie, Annabel, Theodore, Aurora and Skye. She was pre-deceased by her brother Harold R. Van Siclen Jr.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff of the Lodge at RiverWoods and Amedisys Hospice for their caring support.

SERVICES:  A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 11, 11 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, Manchester. A reception will follow in the church’s Great Hall. Burial will take place in NH State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, NH in the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Salvation Army Kid’s Café, 121 Cedar St., Manchester, NH  03101 or Grace Episcopal Church, Manchester, NH.

Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting with arrangements.  To send an online message of condolence, please go to www.lambertfuneralhome.com.