Dottie Claire Mraz (Frederick, MD) was one of those students who started school in Brecksville’s kindergarten class and went all through school in the same building graduating from what is now Brecksville Central School. She attended Bowling Green State University graduating in 1964 with majors in mathematics and elementary education. A year later, she married Phil Mraz.  Dottie began her teaching career at Chippewa Elementary in Brecksville where she taught fifth and sixth grade math for one and half years. She was forced to take a maternity leave as no pregnant women were allowed to continue teaching in Brecksville in the 1960’s. After her first child was born, she chose to stay home to be a full-time wife and mother.

Dottie’s husband was a member of the first class of six married men who became ordained clergymen in the Diocese of Cleveland in 1977. Unfortunately, three years later, Phil was diagnosed with an extremely rare and unusual case of colon cancer. He died on September 1, 1982.

As a result of her family’s experience in the diaconate, Dottie was asked to speak to groups about the diaconate program and the involvement of a man’s wife and family in the ministry. These presentations led to her writing a book, Ministry and the Family of the Permanent Deacon, and magazine articles and doing workshops and retreats in cities around the country. In 1995 she was awarded the National Association of Permanent Diaconate Directors Special Award in recognition of her dedicated service to the promotion of the diaconate in the Diocese of Cleveland and the United States.

At the time of Phil’s death, their five children ranged in age from 6 to 16 years. Dottie was fortunate enough to be able to stay home to raise them until the oldest four were all in college at the same time. After a 24 year maternity leave, she returned to her earlier vocation, teaching fifth grade in Strongsville. During her tenure there, she earned a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Ashland University.