Dorothy L. Kress
Age 88, of Oakmont, passed away Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Dorothy was born into a large close family in Squirrel Hill and lived there until she was kidnapped and taken into the wilds of New Kensington by her husband, Aaron, who preceded her in death three years ago.
Dorothy was a graduate of Allderdice High School and Oberlin College, where she studied art and met Pete Seeger a few times. Dorothy worked in book design in NYC for a short time, but she came back to Pittsburgh and we are all thankful for that because that’s when she met Aaron after he finished law school and they were married soon thereafter.
Dorothy and Aaron settled into New Kensington in 1962 and raised a family there. Dorothy taught in New Kensington and then Freeport while Aaron built his law practice. She was an active member of Beth Jacobs Synagogue and taught Sunday school. She also volunteered at People’s Library, Project SEED, Easter Seals, and led a Brownie Troop. She was ahead of her time in being an advocate for inclusiveness and literacy with her work with children with disabilities and bringing Catholic and Jewish students together to learn about each other’s religions.
Dorothy was an artist and she instilled that creativity into her children and her grandchildren. Any random neighborhood kid who wandered into their home often had a paintbrush or ball of clay thrust into their hands.
With Aaron, Dorothy traveled the world. They biked, skied, and played tennis. Ever the artist, Dorothy took watercolor classes and photography classes. But mostly, Dorothy loved her children and grandchildren in extraordinary measure. She was never afraid to get on the floor or in the snow and reveled in playing make-believe with them for hours on end.
Mom was preceded in death by Aaron and her parents, Liv and Bernard Langer. She is survived by her brother, James Langer (Elinor), daughters, Becky (Phil) Fenoglietto and Margaret (Brian) Carlson; four grandchildren, Lew (Ally) Fenoglietto, Chris Fenoglietto, Emily Carlson, and Ben Carlson; three bonus grandchildren, Jessica, Kaylin, and Abbie Kostic, and two great-granddaughters, Macy and Madeline Fenoglietto. She is also survived by a ton of cousins, most notably, Ellie Siegal.
She was loved and cherished by her tennis and book club friends who kept her going even when they stopped playing tennis and just met for lunch.
A Celebration of Life to honor both Dorothy and Aaron will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to People’s Library, 880 Barnes St., New Kensington, PA 15068, KNEAD Café, 1011 Barnes St., New Kensington, PA 15068, or Project SEED, c/o Alle-Kiski Valley Senior Citizens Center, 1039 3rd Ave., New Kensington, PA 15068. The family would like to thank Linda Venanzio and all of the caretakers at Longwood at Oakmont who gave her such loving care. Arrangements by William F. Gross Funeral Home, Ltd.