Dorothy Agnes Petker Citro

Dorothy " Dottye " Agnes Petker Citro, 79, of Port Orange, FL, passed away on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 , surrounded by her family. Dottye was born on May 27, 1943, at St. Francis Hospital in Trenton, NJ, to August and Helen Jo Ann (ne e Gaudy) Petker . Several years later, t he family relocated to Daytona Beach , where Dottye attended St. Paul Catholic School and Mainland High School. After high school, Dottye earned her Bachelor of Elementary Education degree from the University of Florida and her Master of Education degree from the Florida Technological University , now known as the University of Central Florida.

For 46 years, Dottye served this community as a teacher, first at St. Paul Catholic S chool and the n in the Volusia County School System. She gave the gift of education to countless students at Highlands Elementary, Sugar Mill Elementary, Sunrise Elementary, Walter A. Hurst Elementary, Horizon Elementary, and Spruce Creek Elementary . In addition to teaching her students, Dottye guided many interns on their path to becom ing successful educators. Her true passion was creative writing and inspiring children to use their imagination. During her career Dottye was awarded the Sugar Mill Elementary Teacher of the Year, the University of Central Florida College of Education Alumni Award, and the Volusia County Elementary School Social Studies Teacher of the Year . Dottye was a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority, an organization of women educators dedicated to educational excellence, altruism , and world understanding.

I n 1974 , while working a part-time job in Daytona Beach Shores at Steve's Venice Restaurant , Dottye met the chef and her future husband, Albert Eugene Citro . They always smiled when recounting the first time Al made Dottye his famous shrimp scampi. They were married on August 30, 1975 , in Daytona Beach at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. They were blessed with three sons and raised their family in Port Orange. Dottye was always present in her sons ' lives , was their first teacher and their best teacher . As a founding parishioner of Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church , Dottye served as a Minister of the Extraordinary Eucharist and on The Catholic Council of Women, and supported Knights of Columbus events. Dottye enjoyed being a Mainland High School Class of 1961 Buc Girls Club member and serv ing on the Father Lopez Parent School Board.

Dottye's greatest joy was spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, family, and friends. She loved preparing meals for family gatherings, reading novels, volunteering, gardening, cheering on her Florida Gators , and traveling. Dottye's favorite trip was in 2015, when she and Al traveled to Italy to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. Dottye had a beautiful and heartwarming smile, remarkable and sharp sense of humor ( especially her one-liners ) , and infectious laugh. Dottye truly enjoyed the simple pleasures in life and shar ed what ever she had with those around her . She was kind, compassionate, and never met a stranger . Dottye embodied the Catholic faith. She was always ready with a n open mind , a warm cup of tea, and a help ing hand .

Dottye was preceded in death by her parents and infant brother, Stanley Petker .

Left to cherish her life and memory are her husband of nearly 48 years, Albert Citro of Port Orange, FL; sons, Vincent Citro (Nicole) of Maitland, FL; Anthony Citro (Jessica) of Cramerton , NC; and Paul Citro of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Eric Anthony and Vincent Michael of Cramerton , NC, and Isabella Marie and James Vincent of Maitland, FL; brothers, Dr. A. Michael Petker (Linda Williamson) of Daytona Beach, FL; Dr. Larry Petker (Sandi Pruitt, deceased) of Ormond Beach, FL; sister Dr. Andrea Frazier-Ackermann (Bill) of St. Peters, MO, many beloved nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins , and friends.

The family would like to thank the staff of Majestic Gardens Assisted Living and Halifax Health Hospice , which provided Dottye with extraordinary care, comfort , and c ompassion .

Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, May 13 , 2023 , at 11 a.m. at Catholic Church of the Epiphany, 201 Lafayette Street, Port Orange, FL 32127 , t he Very Reverend Robert Webster (Ret.) presiding with reception immediately after. Following cremation, inurnment will follow in Daytona Memorial Park at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Dottye's memory to support research and finding a cure to either The Alzheimer's Association or to Halifax Health Hospice, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL 32127 (386) 322-4701. Lohman Funeral Home, 1201 Dunlawton Ave, Port Orange, FL 32127 (386) 761-1100 is caring for the Citro Family.