Dorothy Geiss

A mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 AM Tuesday in St. Charles Church for Dorothy E. Geiss, 89 of Austintown who passed away Thursday morning in Humility House. Dorothy was born November 18, 1918 in Youngstown the daughter of Jacob D. and Elizabeth A. (Wilson) Geiss. She graduated as Valedictorian of Chaney High School class of 1936, Youngstown Sate University Business School, and Penn State Extension Program Traffic Management Courses. Dorothy retired in 1980 as the Director of Transportation for Strouss Department Stores, a position she held from 1975 until her retirement. From 1937 until 1945, Dorothy worked in the traffic Department of G.F. Business Equipment Company. In 1945 she took a position in the Traffic Department at Strouss and in 1947 became Traffic Manager for the stores. Dorothy was a member of the Church, the National Retail Merchants Association (NRMA) where she served on the Chairman Traffic Group's Board of Directors, and the NRMA Transportation Committee where she was past Chairman. She was also a member of Delta Nu Alpha Transportation Fraternity Chapter VI, where she was the first women member and a former Vice President, the Youngstown Shippers Association, where she was instrumental in forming the Association of Prominent area retail stores, and a member of the Youngstown Area Chamber of CommerceTransportation Division. Dorothy was also on the advisory committees of Youngstown State University Transportation Management, and the Ohio Board of RegentsBusiness Technology from 1973 1976. She was the author of "A Mini Traffic Course" and featured in or published articles in publications like "Traffic Management", "Chain Store Age", "The Carrier Salesman" and "Traffic Topics". Dorothy achieved national and international recognition in the field of transportation and was a key note speaker for college groups, civic groups, traffic clubs, and trade associations. Her honors included 1968 NRMA Traffic Group's Silver Plaque Award, 1969 NRMA Traffic Group's Leonard Mongeon Award, 1978 Delta Nu Alpha Transportation Fraternity Chapter VI Transportation Person of the Year, and in 1978 the Strouss Chairman's Cup for Outstanding Sales Support Department, 1980 NRMA Silver Plaque Award in recognition for outstanding service to NRMA for many years, and of her traffic management innovations and for promoting the professionalism of Retail Traffic Management. The first Traffic Executive so honored. Dorothy appeared in "Who's Who of American Women", the "Who's who of America" and in "2000 Women of Achievement", a British publication honoring those selected from around the world. She was also involved with AARP Income Tax for Seniors Volunteer, Retired Seniors Volunteer Program, and the Catholic Service League Volunteer. She was also known as the Crestview High School Football Team's "Aunt Dorothy". She was an avid photographer and videographer. One of her pictures was a Kodak winner and was circulated throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. She had a poem published by the National Library of Poetry. She enjoyed live theater, Traveling, Sports, especially football and loved children. Dorothy leaves a sister-in-law, Thelma Geiss, a niece, Norma Jean (Bob) Geoppner- Gardner of Wellsville NY., three nephews, Dick (Pam) Mason of Austintown, Jack (Peggy) Geiss of Canfield, and Jim (Therese) Giess of Alabama as well as 16 beloved great nieces and nephews and 14 great great nieces and nephews. Dorothy was preceded in death by a sister, Ann Mason, three brothers, John, Ralph, and Charles, a nephew Charles Geiss, a great nephew Michael Mason, and her dear friend Aliene Curry who embodied the true meaning of friendship. Family and friends may call Monday from 5 to 8 PM at the Lane Funeral Home Austintown Chapel and again from 9 to 10 AM Tuesday at the church.. Special thanks to all the Staff at the Humility House for their excellent and compassionate care.