Dorothy Adele Storms

Dorothy Storms was born May 20, 1931 to Stanley and Sophie Gryziec in Syracuse and passed away on Saturday after a brief illness. She was 90 years old. Dorothy was raised on the family farm full of vegetables and flowers which became her passion.

Dorothy married Fred Storms on September 23, 1950 in Lakeland at the original Our Lady of Peace Church. When Fred joined the U.S. Army in 1952, Dorothy followed him to the Panama Canal where he was stationed. She gave birth to her first son, Freddy, on Thanksgiving Day 1953. They lived in the mountains of Panama with very few comforts of home. She was surrounded by beautiful tropical flowers and they were happy. Upon returning home, they built their forever home next to Dorothy’s parents and raised a family.

Dorothy started growing roses, her true passion in life. She became a master at growing and showing roses at the NYS Fair and national shows where she won many awards. She was an artist at designing floral arrangements and did many craft shows. She volunteered for many years at Syracuse Thornton Park Rose Garden, always willing to help and give advice to fellow gardeners. Dorothy was a longtime member of the Syracuse Rose Society and recently received a lifetime award for her outstanding dedication to her work with roses (www.syracuserosesociety.org).

Dorothy’s home garden was beautiful, helped and maintained by her devoted husband of 71 years, Fred. They had many garden parties held at their home. Fred recently passed away on November 15 after a long illness.

She was a member of the Onondaga Hill Antiques Club and a lifelong member of Our Lady of Peace Church where she was a member of the Altar & Rosary Society.

Dorothy is survived by her children, Freddy Storms, Cindy (Ed) Seiter, Maureen (Robert) Conner and Patrick Storms; grandchildren, Dr. Jennifer Seiter Moser, Louis and Nick Seiter, Stefanie and Matthew Conner and great-grandson, Calvin Moser.

Relatives and friends may call Tuesday, November 23 from 9 to 10:15 a.m. at St. Marianne Cope at Our Lady of Peace Church, 203 Halcomb St., Syracuse. A funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 a.m. Private burial will be in Belle Isle Cemetery, Camillus.

Contributions may be made to the Syracuse Rose Society so they can continue to inspire the love of growing roses.