Dorothy L. Firster, 84, formerly of Butler, died peacefully Saturday at her home in Charlottesville, Va., after a protracted struggle with cancer.

Born Dec. 3, 1926, in Franklin, she was the daughter of Harry A. and Audie McKean Parker.

She married Ronald W. Firster on Jan. 12, 1945, and he survives her.

Mrs. Firster was a graduate of Rocky Grove High School and Slippery Rock State College, where she majored in elementary education. She taught first and second grades, then kindergarten, followed by 19 years as a seventh grade reading teacher at Butler Junior High School. She retired in 1982.

Upon retirement, she and her husband moved to St. Augustine, Fla., where they enjoyed friends, travel and volunteer work. Mrs. Firster was the first woman president of the St. Augustine Exchange Club and was active in the Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church. The two received the RSVP Volunteers of the Year Award in 2004 for their work at the St. Augustine Lighthouse.

Music was always a part of her life from her early years as a pianist and later as an accordionist for a concert and marching band. She and her husband had a dance band in which she was a pianist and a sometimes vocalist in the 1940s and 1950s.

The Firsters moved to Charlottesville, Va., in 2006 to be near their son and his family.

Known for her kindness, optimism and enthusiasm, Mrs. Firster loved nothing better than spending time with her husband and family.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville.

In addition to her devoted husband, Mrs. Firster is survived by her son, Jim Firster and his wife, Susan Erno, of Charlottesville; a daughter, Jean Youkers and her husband, Bud Youkers, of Hockessin, Del.; and a granddaughter, Allison Firster, of Charlottesville.

The family would like to thank the UVA Medical Center and Cancer Center, especially Dr. Michael Williams, Kim Leake and Dr. Virginia Booth.

<B>FIRSTER</B> — A memorial service for Dorothy L. Firster, who died Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010, will be at the First Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Va.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.Arrangements are under the direction of <B>Teague Funeral Home</B>, Charlottesville, and friends may sign the guest register at teaguefuneralhome.com.