Mrs. Dorothy "Coco" Louise Witt Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

“O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? … Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 1 Corinthians 15. It is with great sadness, but also with Christian joy, that we announce the passing of Dorothy Louise Witt, lovingly known to her family and friends as “Coco.” Coco died peacefully with her children at her side on August 2, 2022 after a short illness. She has gone on to Heaven to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and with her husband, Ed, who preceded her in death. Coco was born on October 15, 1930 in Queens Village, New York, to Harry and May Spencer. A child of the Great Depression, Coco remained humble and frugal all her life, yet her generosity was boundless. While studying for the teaching degree that she would receive from Queens College, she met the love of her life, Edward J. Witt, on a blind date set up by her sister, Helen and her future sister-in-law, Marian. After a brief courtship, 20-year-old Coco married 21-year-old Ed on July 29, 1951. Only days later, they moved to Duluth, Minn., where Ed had been stationed by the Air Force. When Ed deployed to Japan for the Korean War, the newlywed Coco spent the next two years teaching in Duluth and praying for her husband’s safe return. All her life Coco was a devoted wife, a capable and resourceful partner, and a steadfast friend to her beloved husband of 58 years. Coco and Ed began a family in New York after the war, giving birth to two sons, Mike and Steve, and a daughter, Elaine. In 1959, the young family moved south when Ed took a job with Lockheed in Atlanta, where a third son, Gene, would be born the following year. While raising four kids, Coco worked full-time teaching at St. Jude the Apostle Elementary School in Sandy Springs and later at Kirkland Elementary School near Seattle, Wash., where the family moved for an exciting job opportunity for Ed. Coco was named Teacher of the Year at Kirkland in 1969; her sharp mind, humorous wit, and tender spirit remained with her until the end. After a brief move to Boston, the family returned to Atlanta where Coco began a new career in residential real estate, first with Nelson Realty and then with Harry Norman. Her charm, class, and trustworthy judgment proved valuable traits, and she became a very successful realtor, being named agent of the month multiple times. Building on this success, Coco joined Equitable Relocation Services where she managed the sale and purchase of homes on behalf of corporate executives who were undertaking job transfers. Their children now grown and out of the house, Coco and Ed moved to Orlando in 1980, where Coco joined Coral Gables Federal and soon rose to become the bank’s Vice President of Marketing. In 1988, Coco received the prestigious Woman of the Year for Community Service award from The Women’s Executive Council of Central Florida. Coco’s life of hard work and her dedication to the service of others stands as a model to be emulated by her family and friends. Coco officially became “Coco” in 1986 with the arrival of her first grandchild, and after a serious illness for Ed, now known as “Papa,” the couple decided it was time to retire. Several more grandkids came soon after, eight in all, bringing tremendous joy to Coco and Papa: Jeffrey (1986), Brian (1987), Ashley (1988), Patrick (1989), Courtney (1989), David (1990), Christian (1993), and Kyle (1995). Cherished in turn by her grandchildren, Coco is remembered by them for her world-famous back scratches, her wry sarcasm and keen sense of humor, her insatiable sweet tooth, her love of crosswords and puzzles, her tender affection, constant love, and so much more. To be closer to grandkids, Coco and Papa moved back to Atlanta in 2009, anticipating a long retirement and many happy years together at the home they purchased in the Orchards at Jones Bridge. Sadly, it was not to be, as Papa passed within the year and Coco began what was to be a thirteen-year journey without her other half of nearly six decades. Always independent, Coco remained in her new home, living alone until her last days; never shy, she made many new friends in the community through neighborhood gatherings, church groups, and bridge clubs. To the very end of her long life of almost 92 years, Coco was a beacon of light, a spark of joy, and a source of comfort in the lives of countless many. As a final sweetness in a well-lived life, Coco was blessed to see her family grow still more as she celebrated the arrival of great-grandchildren Joan (2017), Kirby (2019), and Grace (2021). Coco died eagerly anticipating the arrival of a fourth great-grandchild, baby Stewart, in January 2023. A convert to the Catholic faith, Coco was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and a dedicated member of His Church all her life. She was a joyful presence at Mass and Adoration at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Johns Creek each week, where she also taught children’s First Communion classes for over ten years. She prayed for hours each day, fervently lifting up her family and friends, the nation and world, and her beloved Catholic Church. She was especially devoted to the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, professing daily her trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and asking for God’s mercy on the world. She began this devotion with her husband and continued it with her daughter. She leaves to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren a legacy of prayer, faithfulness, and redemptive suffering. Coco was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and May Spencer, and sisters, Helen Brzezinski and Marilyn Magnuson. She is survived by her sons Mike Witt of Kennesaw, Steve Witt (Tricia) of Johns Creek, Gene Witt (Kathy) of Dunwoody, and daughter Elaine Luse (Steve) of Wheaton, Ill.; her grandchildren Jeffrey Witt (Courtney), Brian Witt, Ashley Luse, Patrick Witt, Courtney Stewart (Alex), David Witt, Christian Luse, and Kyle Witt; and her great-grandchildren, Joan, Kirby, and Grace Witt. Coco’s end-of-life Mass and funeral celebration will be held at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Johns Creek on August 8, 2022 at 11:00am and she will be buried beside her husband the following day at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton in a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to: The National Right to Life Committee (nrlc.org) PO Box 96498 Washington, DC 20077-7606 Or to: The Drake House (thedrakehouse.org) 10500 N Clara Dr. Roswell, GA 30075 “Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” - John 14.

Mrs. Dorothy "Coco" Louise Witt

October 15, 1930 - August 2, 2022