Dorothy Ellen Raver

The world lost a ray of sunshine when Dorothy Ellen (Shaw) Raver of Shadyside, MD, passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 26, 2026. Born December 22, 1938 in Baltimore, MD, she was the second child of Charles H. Shaw and Ryda (Crook) Shaw.

Dottie lived most of her life in Howard County, MD, and was one of the first graduates of Howard High School. The Chesapeake Bay always held a place in her heart, so she and her husband, Richard, moved from their home in Glenelg, MD to their long-time vacation home in Shady Side, MD in 2024. She loved to travel and went all over the world during their 63 years of marriage. Dottie hated the cold, spending many winters at their “second home” in Fort Myers, FL.

She could make friends anywhere and even remained in touch with classmates from her childhood at Scaggsville Elementary School. Dottie loved children and never passed up an opportunity to visit with her many grand and great-grand nieces and nephews. She was quick with a smile and a teasing remark and never one to back down from a prank or a ribbing. There was always plenty of room at the table, and she never turned down visits with family and friends.

Dottie loved to shop. One of her favorite pastimes was spending Saturday mornings visiting yard sales. She was a shrewd bargain shopper and frequently brought home anything and everything she would find “on the road.” She could never pass up the opportunity to purchase another set of dishes or a piece of Waterford crystal.

Dottie and Richard were incredibly generous, establishing the Susan E. Raver Memorial Scholarship Fund following the death of their daughter, and their commitment to both the Linden-Linthicum United Methodist Church in Clarksville, MD and the Galesville United Methodist Church in Galesville, MD. They frequently supported less fortunate children in Africa and around the world.

Dorothy is predeceased by her first son and daughter, Richard Jr. and Susan Ellen, and survived by her husband, Richard, her son and son-in-law, Jeffrey Allen Raver and Mathew Gulick, and numerous brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.

Friends and family are invited to gather for a visitation at the Harry H. Witzke Family Funeral Home on Thursday July 9 th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There will also be a celebration of her life and memorial service on Friday July 10 th , starting at 10:00 a.m., at the Galesville United Methodist Church. She will be interred at a private ceremony at the Linthicum Chapel Cemetery later that day.

Dorothy made an enormous positive impact on everyone she met. Although we know she is watching over us from heaven, her passing is an incredible loss to everyone who knew her. In lieu of flowers we are asking for donations in her memory to the Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) Foundation.

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