Dorothy "Dody" McKeen Crowell (90) of Effingham, formerly of Wheeling, W. Virginia

Dorothy "Dody" McKeen Crowell loved God, her family, and chocolate — which she always had in abundance in her home and the love of which she passed down to her children and grandchildren. Dody divided her time between her home in Wheeling, West Virginia, and her winter home in Magnolia Springs, Alabama. Most recently, she was living with her son and his family in Effingham, Illinois. She passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on August 21, 2021 at age 90.

Born on September 6, 1930, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Elmer Grant and Mabel (Atkinson) Weibel, she became a nurse after graduating from The Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Western Reserve University in 1953. She married Harrison Phillip Crowell, Jr. on July 11, 1959 and raised their four children after he died in 1967. In the 1970’s, she became a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Pittsburgh. A theme of service wove through her life working as a nurse in Chapel Hill, NC; Cleveland, OH; and Pittsburgh, PA. Later she became a Professor of Nursing, and Health Center Director at Wheeling Jesuit University. After retiring, she spent five years in Africa as a missionary with the Presbyterian Church, establishing a pediatric screening program, nutritional program, and health center in the remote village of Domasi in Malawi. Dody, also known as Nanny by her grandchildren, taught all the values of family and hospitality. Her home was the place to be on Thanksgiving. Family members gathered every year for a reunion filled with traditions: making family recipes, watching the Steelers, holding "No-Talent" talent shows, and visiting Sarris Candies for hot-fudge sundaes.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Elmer and Mabel Weibel; siblings: Bessie, John, Ted, Gerry, and Don Weibel; and husband: Harrison Crowell, Jr.

Dody is survived by her children: Harrison Philip Crowell III (Natasha), Kathleen Gray Winkle (Kevin), Jeffrey Grant Crowell (Lisa), and Douglas Sturtevant Crowell (Natalie); grandchildren: Marlena Crowell, Madeline Crowell; Kate (Adam) Allevato, Kelsea Winkle; McKenzie Crowell, Taylor Crowell, Jeremiah Crowell, Camryn Crowell; Zane Crowell, Kalen Crowell, and Harrison Crowell; many nieces and nephews; as well as her four-legged companion, Lucy.

A private family burial ceremony will take place at Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg, Ohio, where Dody will be laid to rest alongside her husband. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2021, 2:00 p.m. at Stone Presbyterian Church in Wheeling, West Virginia. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name through the Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery, 907 National Road, Wheeling, WV 26003 for the H. Parker Sharp Health Center in Domasi, Malawi. The Malawi Partnership of the Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery will administer the funds to provide free healthcare for those in need. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here. Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham, IL is assisting the family.