Equipped with flashcards, books, stickers and treats, Dorothy E. Conway instilled a love of reading in her pupils for more than 40 years.

A eucharistic minister at St. Joseph Church in Duquesne, Pa., and volunteer preschool reading teacher, Miss Conway used her enthusiasm to inspire both adults and children to achieve.

"She exemplified the two great commandments, loving God and loving her neighbors," said longtime friend Sister Liguori Rossner of Bloomfield. "She was an extraordinary Catholic."

Miss Conway died Wednesday at McKeesport Hospital from a brain aneurysm that led to a heart attack. She was 67.

Miss Conway's health had been compromised for many years due to a brain tumor, but "she never let it stop her," Sister Liguori said.

Just days before her death, Miss Conway was still leading her weekly preschool reading class at John Heinz Child Development Center in the Hill District.

"The children loved her," said Sister Liguori. "Every time she'd enter the room, it was 'Miss Dorothy, read to me!' "

From an early age, Miss Conway's bent for teaching and nurturing was evident.

Born in McKeesport, she was a highly intelligent child, eager to teach and help other students even in elementary school.

After graduating as valedictorian from Divine Redeemer School in Armstrong County in 1959, she enrolled in Duquesne University despite protestations from her mother, who wanted Miss Conway to become a nun.

Instead, she chose to pursue her love of teaching and studied elementary education.

"It was a better fit for her," said Paul Taylor, her brother-in-law, of North Huntingdon. "She wanted a freer lifestyle than nuns would have had."

Her choice led to a lifetime devoted to teaching and raising the standard for instruction.

Upon graduation, she accepted a job as a first grade teacher at Robert Vann Elementary School in the Hill District.

"She absolutely loved her teaching job," Mr. Taylor said. "She loved working with the kids."

After 20 years, administrators took note of her exceptional teaching and promoted her to reading supervisor for the Pittsburgh Public Schools, a position that she retained until her retirement.

As the reading supervisor, she coached other teachers on instruction methods and the latest reading systems. Though she no longer had a full-time classroom position, she continued to teach through a position in the reading lab at Duquesne University.

Even after she retired from Pittsburgh Public Schools more than a decade ago, Miss Conway never stopped teaching or interacting with children.

For the past six years, she volunteered as a reading instructor at the John Heinz Child Development Center and led a preschool class every Thursday.

She loved working with children but never married and had kids of her own.

"She always joked that she was 'Always the bridesmaid, and never the bride,' " Mr. Taylor said.

But Miss Conway was content to live by herself, devoted to her job and St. Joseph Church.

She also served as president of Pi Lambda Theta, which honors outstanding educators, and organized meetings for retired teachers in Western Pennsylvania.

Miss Conway's charitable spirit also led her to contribute to neighbors and friends even though she had no obligation to them.

While Miss Conway lived frugally, rarely purchasing things for herself, she always gave to others, including the Jubilee Soup Kitchen in the Hill District, according to Sister Liguori.

She also helped her elderly neighbors in West Mifflin with financial matters and errands.

"She kept them out of nursing homes and helped them live independently," Sister Liguori said.

Miss Conway's warm personality, jovial disposition and giving nature ensured that she had many friends. Though she lived alone, she was never lonely.

"A lot of people are going to miss her -- her neighbors, friends, students," Sister Liguori said. "I don't know what they're going to do without her."

Visitation will be tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Maloy-Schleifer Funeral Home in Duquesne. Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Monday in St. Joseph Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Church, 817 W. Grant Ave., Duquesne, PA 15110.