Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church

In Remembrance of Dorothea “Pookie” Koehler

It was a joyous day in the White household when a beautiful daughter was born to Paul and Isabella White on August 11, 1949. Dorothea Paula Koehler, was affectionately referred to as “Pookie”.

Pookie attended St. Camillus Catholic Grade School and Regina High School, in Hyattsville, MD. She graduated in 1967. 

After graduating from Regina High School, Pookie began her government career at the Naval Ordinance Laboratory. Several years later, Pookie transferred her employment as a secretary to the Department of Health Education and Welfare in Rockville, MD. During Pookie’s government career she continue to advance and transferred into the legal field. In 2019 Pookie retired from the government as a Paralegal Specialist. She completed 52 years of dedicated government service.

Pookie loved her family. She particularly enjoyed holidays and family vacations. She loved the beach, music, and dancing. She was an avid reader. Pookie especially liked listening to her brother play the drums performing with the band “New Sensation”. She liked to bake and was well known for her delicious Christmas cookies to bring to family holiday gatherings.

Survivors include her husband of 48 years, R. Kent Koehler; her 98 year old loving father, Paul A. White; one brother, Paul M. White, and three sisters, Helen M. Ambrose, Laura A. O’Hare (Joseph), Maria I. Taltavull (Paul), as well as an abundance of loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, a grandniece, grand nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her loving mother, Isabella M. White.

In lieu of flowers the family requests family and friends make memorial gifts in honor of Pookie online:  <a href="https://montgomeryhospice.org/donate-now/">https://montgomeryhospice.org/donate-now/</a>


For those who prefer to make donations by check, they can be made out to Montgomery
Hospice, Inc., include the name name and Casey House on the check or with correspondence, and mailed to:

Montgomery Hospice &amp; Prince George’s Hospice
1355 Piccard Drive, Suite 100
Rockville, MD 20850


A Memorial Gathering will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 from 10 a.m. until the start of the Memorial Mass at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 15663 Norbeck Blvd., Silver Spring, MD 20906. Interment will be private at a later date. 

Dorothea "Pookie" Koehler

Dorothea "Pookie" Koehler

Dorothea "Pookie" Koehler Services

Memorial Gathering

Memorial Service