Sara Lucille (Hague) “Dottie” Vandenbraak, 104, died peacefully on October 6, 2025.
Dottie was born in Wilmington, DE to Sara L. and William A. Hague, Sr. on May 21, 1921. In 1939, Dottie graduated from P. S. du Pont High School. Dottie was a proud 75-year member of the Talleyville Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary as well as a member of the First All Girls Delaware Drum & Bugle Corp.
On May 15, 1946, Dottie married John G. “Jerry” Vandenbraak, Sr. They built their home in Talleyville, DE where they raised 6 sons. Dottie lived in this home until her final day. In 1965, Dottie and Jerry bought a beach home in Stone Harbor, NJ, which Dottie still owned at her time of passing. Dottie enjoyed her time at the shore with family and friends, creating many wonderful memories until the end.
Dottie was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry, and sons Frank L. and J. Michael (Patty). Dottie is survived by sons: John G., Jr. “Tippy” (Sherry), William H. (Joan), James C. (Lisa), and Gerald A. (Cathy); 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a brother, James P. Hague and a sister, Ann Goudy.
Services will be on Friday, October 10, 2025 at the McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike, Talleyville, where visitation will begin at 10:00am and a brief funeral service will be held at 11:00am. Interment will follow at Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery, 4900 Concord Pike. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Dottie’s name to the Talleyville Fire Company Ladies Auxilary, PO Box 7062, Talleyville, DE19803.
