Dorothy Winterstella Bergman

Dorothy Winterstella Bergman, age 87, of Wilmington, DE died on February 7, 2018 at Country House where she had lived since 2003. Her husband, Jack Hull Bergman, died in 2007.  She is survived by her sister, Carol White of Wilmington, her son, Christopher Bergman and wife Erin (O’Connor) of Glen Ellyn IL, her daughter, Susan Allmond and husband Bayard Allmond III, of Wilmington and four grandchildren (Brian and Bridget Bergman, and Bradley and Jacquelyn Allmond).  She was the daughter of Orville B. and Dorothy (Gravatt) Winterstella.

Dottie was born in Asbury Park, NJ in 1930, grew up in New Jersey and graduated from Bucknell University with a B.S in Chemistry.  She worked for DuPont in Waynesboro VA, where she met her husband, and also in Wilmington where they later made their home.

Mrs. Bergman volunteered in PTA, Girl Scouts, Flower Market, and Community News. She served on costume committees of the Brandywiners, Cronies, and Opera Delaware.  She enjoyed watercolor painting and created historical murals on the walls at Country House.  She helped manage the Country House gift shop 1971-2007.  Dottie was a member of Aldersgate UMC where she sang in the choir, was a president of United Methodist Women, served on Altar Guild, Administrative Board and edited the church newsletter for 20 years.  She was also a member of the Hockessin Genealogy Society.

Dottie and Jack Bergman were among the first 1000 hikers to hike the Appalachian Trail “end to end”.  Their backpacking began in 1972 and continued over 9 years on long weekends and vacations.  They celebrated completion in 1981 after climbing Mt. Katahdin at the North end of the 2181 mile trail.

The family would like to thank the staff of Country House and Vitas Hospice for the compassionate care provided to Dottie.

A Celebration of life service will be held at Country House, 4830 Kennett Pike, at 2:00 on Saturday March 10.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggestions donations to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy https://donate.appalachiantrail.org/default.aspx?tsid=7638