Doreen Joyce "Dolly" VanDerBroek

September 17, 1959 – January 27, 2026

Doreen Joyce "Dolly" VanDerBroek, 66, of Apex, NC passed away Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at Duke University Hospital in Durham, NC.

She was born on September 17, 1959, in Sodus, NY to the late Abram VanDerBroek III and Joyce Barkman VanDerBroek. The baby of the VanDerBroek family of Sodus Point, Dolly was a force of nature, an extrovert to a T and known for her love of family, friends, music, dancing, a good cup of coffee, true crime and great conversations. Dolly never knew a stranger and was always happy to share a story, give advice or talk with anyone.

Dolly was a graduate of Sodus Central High School and earned an associate degree in social work from CCFL. She worked as a social worker for a short time before following her mother's footsteps into the United States Postal Service. For many years she served on the Sodus Point Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, the department where her father was a voluntary firefighter.

After 30 years at USPS, Dolly retired to North Carolina with her sister, Eileen, to join niece, Amanda. There, she selflessly served as a caregiver to Eileen with compassion and love. She enjoyed helping Amanda in the garden, trips to the North Carolina Coast, and making new friends.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her siblings, Kathleen "Kathy" Ritter (Bobby) and Abram "Van" VanDerBroek IV; niece, Valerie Ritter Lahood (Shane); brother-in-law, Andy Baxter; and many other family members.

Dolly will be lovingly remembered by her siblings, Eileen VanDerBroek, Thorne VanDerBroek (Debra), and Maureen Baxter (Andy); special cousin, Donna Barkman; special niece, Amanda VanDerBroek; nieces and nephews, Annette Ritter Gunn (Robby), Jason VanDerBroek (Kelly), Josh VanDerBroek (Liz), Drew Baxter (Lyndsey), Brandon Baxter (Felicia), and Anni Evans (Gregg); many beloved great nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends; and her cherished tailless, gray, rescue cat, Asher.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation and memorial service 1-3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 31 at Norton's Funeral Home, 45 W. Main St., Sodus. Attendees are invited to wear pink or black (Dolly's favorite colors). The family will gather after for a private burial.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions can be donated to the MPN Research Foundation, PO Box 2690, Carol Stream IL, 60132-2690 or via their website at mpnresearchfoundation.org.