Dorothy “Dot” Starr, 71, died peacefully Dec. 21, 2016, with her family by her side, after an unexpected illness.

The wife of William Starr, 73, the couple lived a full and happy life.

Married 49.5 years, they were life partners in every sense.

In addition to raising two children, Scott, 46, and Tracey, 43, they spent many years boating on the Chesapeake Bay, and also traveled, enjoying drives throughout the entire U.S., as well as cruises throughout Europe and the Caribbean.

Born Dorothy Jean Cross in 1945 in Ambridge, she graduated from Ambridge High School in 1963, and The Pennsylvania State University in 1966, where she met her future husband.

They married in 1967, and together moved to Allentown, where she worked as a buyer for Hess’s department store, and then to Coopersburg, where she was active with the PTA and the Jaycees.

In 1984, the family moved to Lebanon, where she worked for Century 21 Krall Real Estate, and also volunteered with several organizations, including the Good Samaritan Hospital and Oakview Nursing Home.

In 1999, she and her husband retired to Marco Island, Fla., where they enjoyed life on the water.

Seeking their next adventure, in recent years, they started spending time in the Palm Springs area of California.

In 2015, they moved to Indio, Calif., where they found their beautiful desert home.

They especially enjoyed weekends there with Scott and his wife, Ana.

They also took several trips with Tracey and her husband, Darrell, visiting sights throughout Asia and Europe.

Ske had recently joined PEO, a local charitable organization.

Only those closest to her knew how much she struggled with MS her entire adult life.

Fiercely proud and determined, she battled pain nearly every day to maintain her strength and independence.

Predeceased by her parents, Robert and Matilda Cross, as well as her brother, Robert Butch Cross, she is survived by her sister, Mary Evans, as well as several nieces and a nephew.

The immediate family will mourn her passing privately, and will have a memorial service in Pennsylvania in the spring.

Condolences may be offered at kellerfuneralhomes.com.

The Starr family asks for nothing but your thoughts and good memories, but in lieu of flowers, consider making a donation in her name to Act for MS, at bit.ly/ACTforMS or to the National MS Society at nationalmssociety.org.

Arrangements made by Keller Funeral Homes Inc., Fogelsville.