DOROTHY ANNE HOSTAGE MANUEL CONNER
(Dody Conner)

Dorothy H. Conner passed away peacefully in her home in Sorrento Florida. She was born on June 15, 1936 and died on August 2, 2014 at the age of 78. The daughter of the late Gilmary Michael and Dorothy Reese Hostage she is survived by her four daughters Deanne Reese Manuel Parker, Kelley Sue Manuel Bergholtz, Karen Lea Manuel Conner Humbert, and Gretchen Manuel Conner Gutman. She is predeceased by her son Glenn Thomas Manuel Conner who died of leukemia at the age of fifteen.

Born and raised in New York, she finally settled in Sorrento, Florida where she raised her children and horses for more than 45 years. During her early working years from about 1967 to 1975 she taught horseback riding lessons at the family farm known as Seven Oaks in Sorrento, Florida. She taught all of us to ride as well as countless others.

The little riding school grew and we soon had 30 horses to care for. Chores were done before we left for school at 7:15 AM. Stalls had to be cleaned, horses had to be fed, watered, hayed, and turned out. We had chickens for eggs and numerous dogs and cats. She was very active in the Lake County Horseman's Association in the early 70's. This allowed us the chance to show our horses every month and we won many awards. She was very proud of her little riding school.

The time during our brother's five-year illness was very sad and very hard on us all. Many times, Mom had to be with him at the National Institute of Health in Maryland for extended periods. But with the help of family and friends, we carried on. We all grew up with a strong work ethic, and close family ties. Mom pushed us, with hard work, constant determination, ups and downs. Mom never quit. She taught us well, none of us could have had a better mentor.

She married Owen W. "Sonny" Conner and together they embarked in the plant nursery business. They built a business through Plants and Things in Apopka and then on to Heritage Greenhouses in Mount Dora. That business thrived from the mid 70's through the Mid 90's. We were all very proud of their accomplishments together.

Then, in the mid 90's and early 2000's we were introduced to an amazing company called Starlight International. Together with her four girls, Mom built a huge multi-level organization through our network of fabulous friends. We traveled abroad together and were privileged to see London, Paris, Rome, Vienna, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the South of France. This was a very special time in all our lives!

From the mid 2000's to 2014 mom worked for Richard "Ric" Bergholtz, PA Attorney At Law. She managed Ric's law office and was a driving force in keeping the office hopping!

Mom recently retired and was just beginning to venture out to new activities. She loved spending time with her family and we shared many memories. Her grandchildren are a source of pride and she loved sharing in their accomplishments. She was extremely proud of each child and felt very comfortable giving any advice she felt necessary.

For her family she was the rock, which we all leaned on including her eighteen grandchildren and her five great grand children. She was very involved in all our lives on a daily basis.

Our mom was the most amazing woman we know. We love her and will cherish her memory, as will all her friends and all of our family.

We welcome friends and family for the viewing on Thursday, August 7, 2014 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Allen J. Harden Funeral Home located at 800 North Donnelly Street, Mount Dora, FL 32757.

In addition please join us for a memorial Mass on Friday, August 8, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church at 6803 Old Hwy 441 South, Mount Dora, 32757.

Afterwards, a life celebration in her honor will be held at her Seven Oaks ranch at 22935 Wolf Branch Rd, Sorrento, FL 32776 (stay to the left at the "Y" in the driveway, towards the yellow house).

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