Obituary: Dorothy Keith
Dorothy Keith, a beloved educator, devoted mother and wife, and lifelong community leader, passed away peacefully May 21, 2026, in Oxford, Ohio, at the age of 92.
Born in New York City in 1934 to Dorothy and Charles Preston, Dorothy was raised in Cranford, New Jersey. The eldest of five siblings, she grew up alongside her sisters, Judy and Kathy, and her brothers, Chuck and Bob.
Driven by her adventurous spirit, Dorothy left New Jersey to attend Miami University, earning her bachelor’s degree in education. She began her teaching career in Cleveland before moving to Cincinnati to be near her dear college friend, Pat Stempfly. Together, they worked at the Cincinnati YWCA and served as camp counselors at Camp Lenmary in New Trenton, Indiana. It was during this time that Dorothy met her lifelong partner, James “Jim” Keith, at a dance. The two married in 1960.
After teaching at Greenhills High School for a few years, Dorothy paused her career to raise her three sons, Mike, Bill and Dave. She returned to the classroom in the late 1970s, spending a decade teaching English, composition and drama at Lakota High School. She shared her deep passion for literature and the theatrical arts with a generation of students. Ever dedicated to learning, she also earned her master’s degree from Xavier University in 1987.
Dorothy was a cornerstone of the Greenhills Presbyterian Church. She sang in the choir, played in the bell choir, served as a deacon and was fondly remembered for directing the church’s grand production of Noah’s Flood. Following her retirement from teaching, her entrepreneurial spirit led her to co-found and publish a local community newspaper alongside her friends, Patti Wiers and Sandy Bayes, from 1990 to 1995.
Despite her many professional achievements, Dorothy’s top priority was always her family. She and Jim instilled in their sons a deep sense of exploration, competitiveness and care for others. Holidays and vacations were spent creating memories with family in Ohio, New Jersey and California.
Dorothy spent her final days surrounded by the love of her sisters, sons and grandchildren. She leaves behind her three sons and their wives, Lynne, Terri and Beth; and her five cherished grandchildren, Sam, Mitch, Sophie, Charlie and Nicholas. Her profound care, curiosity and warmth will be deeply missed by her family and all those whose lives she touched.
This obituary was originally published by Paul R. Young Funeral Home.
