Dorothy "Dottie" (Becker) Wickliffe

Prayer Warrior, Loving Wife and Caregiver, Beloved Mom and Nanny

Heaven welcomed a precious saint, Dottie Wickliffe, of New Cumberland, into the presence of God. Once her loving husband passed into Glory 6 years ago, she was ready to go Home. Now, with a restored memory, free from confusion, she has joined the love of her life again and together they can walk, dance, and run on the streets of gold with their Savior and Lord. 

Dorothy “Dottie” (Becker) Wickliffe, age 76, of New Cumberland, and formerly of Long Island, NY, was welcomed into heaven, with her loving daughter by her side, on Friday, November 8, 2024. Dottie was born on Monday, May 10, 1948, in Brooklyn, NY to the late William H. Becker and Helen (Zinke) Becker. Dottie was the widow of Robert "Bob" Raymond Wickliffe, whom she married on June 7, 1969, and went home to be with the Lord on May 11, 2018. 

Dottie’s survivors include her daughter: Bonnie Wickliffe Sharpe and husband, David, of New Cumberland; two grandchildren: Emily Sharpe of New Cumberland and Connor Sharpe and wife, Julianna, and their son, her great-grandson: Isaac Sharpe of Starr, SC; and two siblings: Lois Esposito and William P. Becker.

Dottie graduated from John Adams High School as part of the class of 1966. She began working for the FAA, at J.F. Kennedy Airport in Queens, NY in August of 1966. Starting out as a secretary, she worked her way up all the way into management in Flight Certifications and retired in May of 2003. Dottie was a member of Community Bible Evangelical Free Church in Richmond Hill, NY, for over 35 years. During that time, Dottie worked with the youth group and was the church secretary for many years. She was part of the choir and was involved with a number of children ministries such as VBS and Club Halawasa. In 1998 Dottie and her husband began worshipping at the First Baptist Church of Babylon in Babylon, NY for 6 years where her daughter and her family attended. After moving to New Cumberland in 2004, she became a member of the West Shore Evangelical Free Church in Mechanicsburg. There she worked along side of her husband in the Upward Sports Ministry. She sent out all of the correspondence and weekly pray request. She would help blow up balls, help set up for Awards night festivities, and participate in the different activities, helping out in any way she could. Dottie was also part of the Prayer Team at church. She was a true prayer warrior. Everyone knew, don't call Dottie between 1 and 3 because she would be in her hot tub praying. It was often joked that the water was a great conductor of prayers because it seemed as though she had a direct line to God and her prayers were usually answered. She kept long lists of prayer requests and would pray daily, following up with those that she prayed for, rejoicing with them when prayers were answered.

After her husband's life altering accident during an Upward Soccer game at WSEF Church on May 11, 2013, Dottie continued to work with the Upward Sports ministry, but in a different capacity. She continued to send out the weekly correspondence and prayer request and would help give out awards on Awards Night. But now, she also helped her husband, Mr. Bob, write 12 devotionals that were recorded so that he too could remain part of the Upwards Sports Ministry, even though he was now paralyzed from his chest down. These videos would be shown at the Awards Night events when Mr. Bob was unable to appear in person. Their ministry still continues since these videos were put on Youtube and can still be accessed by searching "Bob Wickliffe". Since it was difficult for her husband to attend WSEF Church, Dottie and her husband began attending the New Cumberland Alliance Church, where her daughter's family attended, right in their development. Dottie returned to WSEF Church after Bob's passing until covid happened and she began to attend online.

After enjoying her honeymoon in Hawaii in 1969, Dottie and Bob discovered their love for traveling and began as a family to travel through every state in the USA. She and Bob both became travel agents and were able to take advantage of discounts and traveled the world. Dottie joined Bob in his enthusiasm for hockey, enjoying season tickets for the New York Islanders from 1972 until 1989, which included the Dynasty Years of 1980 - 1984. Dottie also liked to roller skate, which she did monthly with the Community Evangelical Free church group. She earned many trophies bowling on the FAA bowling league for well over 10 years. Soon after buying her first house in 1972, she bought her first ping pong table and so began the honing of skills which lead to many championship games with family, friends, and cruise ship competitions. Speaking of cruises, Dottie loved to cruise and enjoyed going on about 30 cruises. She loved to watch the Love Boat (especially at the end of her life) and managed to go on the last sailing of the Pacific Princess, The Love Boat. She even met Gavin MacLeod, who played Captain Stubin on the show. Dottie also liked to play tennis and mini golf and could often be found eating at buffet restaurants like Duffs, Golden Corral, Fire Mount, and Old Country Buffet. She would eat plateful after plateful of food and then get dessert. We never knew where she put it because she always stayed so thin. After moving to Pennsylvania Shady Maple Smorgasbord became her favorite treat, especially on her birthday when she would get her meal for free! She was very frugal, so if it was free, it was for her. She also enjoyed going to Sight and Sound theater to see all of the amazing plays. She has seen them all to date. The Christmas and Easter plays at Christian Life Assembly Church were also highlights in her life.

Dottie also loved spending time with and caring for her grandchildren. In NY, she would spend the summer playing with the kids in her pool. After moving to PA, summer Sunday nights you could often find Nanny and Gramps taking Emily and Connor to Hershey Park. She and the family had season passes for 10 years until Bob's accident. Any time there was an opportunity to play basketball, tennis, or games in the hot tub, Nanny took them. Emily and Connor were her pride and joy. Then Isaac came along and she became a Great Nanny! Oh how she loved him.

Dottie went through a miraculous change when God gave her the compassion, strength and selflessness to care for her husband for 5 years to the day after his accident. At times she was his lone caregiver and through even the most difficult of times, she continued to smile and love him as though they were 2 school kids in love. They were both very grateful for that time that they had together and all of the countless blessings that the Lord bestowed upon them. Dottie was a true example of servanthood and what a Godly woman looks like.

After her husband's passing, Dottie suffered from caregiver burnout. She was able to travel with family during 2018 and 2019, but when covid hit, the isolation was the start of her decline in health. In the fall of 2021, she was diagnosed with some lung diseases and the beginnings of dementia. In fall of 2023 she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. In May of 2024, Dottie was hospitalized and then transferred to a skilled nursing facility for a month and a half. The Lord was gracious and allowed her to come home, as she so desired, with in home caregivers assisting her with her daily needs. Less than 2 weeks prior to Dottie's passing, she got sick and that was the beginning of the end. Dottie passed very peacefully in her sleep, with her hand being held by her daughter. Bonnie was singing to her and told her to "Go tell Daddy I love him and go Worship Jesus together." Dottie took her last breath and went Home.

Our loss is Heaven's gain, as Dottie is absent from her body and is present with the Lord.

The family sends the most heartfelt thanks to those who so lovingly cared for Dottie during her time at home the last 3 months. 

All are welcome to join Dottie’s family at her Celebration of Life Open House and gathering of family and friends on Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with a Time of Remembrance at 5:30 p.m. at Buhrig’s Gathering Place, 25 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, (717) 766-3421 (next to Buhrig Funeral & Cremation); with Pastor Terry Allison officiating. Over 100 parking spaces are available; just look for the “Buhrig” parking signs in all of the parking lots. Cremation was private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in celebration of Dottie's life can be made to either K-Love or Wordfm radio stations. Dottie loved listening to these two uplifting radio stations, both in the house and when traveling in the car. 

Dottie’s family has entrusted her care to Buhrig Funeral & Cremation in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421. Read Dottie’s full obituary, view her memorial video and portrait, offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle and sign her official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com.