Dorothy D Hyett

Dorothy Dean Hyett of Aledo passed on to be with her savior on Saturday, May 22. Dorothy was born in Greenville, South Carolina in 1945 to Wendell and Lucille (Ibos) Westbrook. Throughout her life, Dorothy lived in and traveled to many exciting cities which held special places in her heart. These included Washington, D.C., where she recalled seeing the inaugurations of Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy, and volunteering for children’s charities. She also loved catching fresh lobster in Augusta, Maine, going dancing with friends in Baltimore, Maryland, and experiencing Easter Sunday sunrise service over Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 

Dorothy attended Western Illinois University and was one of few women in her class to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration. After graduation, Dorothy worked for Illinois state social services before she married and settled in Aledo. She helped manage her family’s furniture store and farming operation for many years while also devoting her time as a loving and attentive mother to her children, Lance and Lisa.

Dorothy had a heart for service and gave selflessly her entire life. She devoted herself to representing Christ’s love on earth. She conducted faith outreach at nursing homes and within her community for many years. She was a prayer warrior and an adept student of God’s word. She had great admiration for all of God’s creation, but especially wildlife and dogs. When she was not rescuing and spending time with her many pups, she could be found admiring wildlife on her farm or marveling at bald eagles flying over the Mississippi. Dorothy loved classic cinema and mystery novels, and she exuded the grace and dignity of a bygone era. 

In her time on earth, Dorothy was a resilient spirit and a guidepost for many in her life. She was a beacon of light for her family, whom she loved above all. She was especially important to her four grandchildren, whom she blessed each day with her unconditional love, exuberant joy, and selflessness. She loved traveling with her family, hiking in Black Hawk State Park, blasting the “Phantom of the Opera” over her car speaker, and treating her grandchildren to Whitey’s ice cream. She felt incredibly blessed by her four great-grandsons, whom she cherished. She was an irreplaceable matriarch who was dearly loved and will be incredibly missed. Dorothy’s family finds comfort in the knowledge that she was a devoted and treasured child of God, who lives on in eternity with Jesus, her beloved friend and savior. 

She is survived by her daughter, Lisa (Jeremy) Finch; grandchildren, Taylor (Tyler) McVay, Tristen (Mollie) Finch, Lauren Finch, and Natalie Finch; great-grandsons Owen & Grady McVay, and Sawyer, Tucker, & baby girl Finch; honorary daughter Tammy (Mike) Zwalve & their sons, Elijah and Caleb; brother Jon (Mary-Ann) Westbrook; and nephews Tyler (Cassie) Westbrook & Jeffrey (Aime) Westbrook & their families. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, brother Wayne, son Lance, and an infant daughter.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, May 25, at Speer Funeral Home with a private burial to follow. There will be no visitation. Memorial donations may be made in her name for her great-grandchildrens education.