Dorothy Waltermire
Dorothy Marie Waltermire was born in Kingston, NY, to Thomas and Bertha Ryan on June 12, 1923. Her parents moved to East Greenbush NY, when she was a toddler. Dorothy spent most of her life in this beautiful country setting, with her three younger siblings, Arlene Francis, Margaret and Timothy. In 1941, she met and married her first love, Lieutenant Roland Gagnon, K.I.A. in WW2, leaving her widowed with her baby son, Robert. While working in her mother’s coffee shop, she met a Seabee, Earl Waltermire of Chatham, New York. Earl was raising his daughter, Jane (Muhlfelder). They married, and had their daughter, Karen. They raised their three children in East Greenbush, with horses, dogs, rabbits, cats, and a big garden. Their love of the outdoors took them on many family vacations to the Adirondacks and Vermont for swimming and fishing.
Dorothy and Earl were very active in the Best-Luther Fire Department for over 50 years. Dorothy founded the Junior Auxiliary, for young girls. Dorothy was a terrific fundraiser, making and selling raffle tickets, and helping to run dinners and auctions.
Dorothy firmly believed that voting is a patriotic duty. She was a poll worker until she was in her eighties. She proudly voted until her last year on earth.
Dorothy also had a career as a bookkeeper and accountant for GAF Corporation in Rensselaer, NY, later purchased by BASF Chemical Company. She was proud that her union went out on strike in the 1950s and earned workers what is now known as the “coffee break.” Her co-workers admired her for her intelligence and beauty.
Throughout life, Dorothy always gave a helping hand to others. Dot taught English as a second language through St. John’s Church in Albany. She helped with elder care for neighbor, Ralph Sharp and home hospice care for her longtime companion, Abe Zampella. She was the major caregiver for her mother, and was at her grandson Robert’s side in his final hours.
In 2007, Dorothy moved to Cape May Court House to be near her daughter, Karen and son-in-law, Andy Stafford, as well as her granddaughter, Diane and children. Her grandson Rob soon followed. With new friends, she hosted many card parties. Dorothy taught herself bridge at the age of 86 and played with competitive level players. Dorothy belonged to the Women’s Club of Cape May, and enjoyed going to the VFW in The Villas with her grandson.
After a bad fall in April of 2024, Dorothy moved into Brookdale Assisted Living. Dorothy was still playing cards and making friends. She enjoyed spending time with her friend Doug Kelm, and they laughed together despite their physical pains and difficulties.
Dorothy is pre-deceased by her mother, Bertha; father, Thomas; siblings, Arlene, Margaret and Timothy, first husband, Roland Gagnon; her grandson, Robert R. Gagnon, Jr. and her devoted husband of thirty years, Earl Waltermire. She leaves behind her children, Robert (Jean), Jane (Fred), and Karen (Andrew) as well as granddaughters, Cindy (Mark) Ackerle, Lynn (Paul) Kotecki and Diane (Rafael) Gagnon; great grandchildren, Nicholas, Anna and Christopher Gagnon, and David Russo; as well as her beloved niece, Cindi Hotaling.
Dorothy passed quietly on April 15, 2025 in the tender care of the nurses and aides at Brookdale. Her family is forever grateful for their skill and compassion.
Dorothy’s legacy is a century of caring for others. Dorothy was a gentle force who will be missed by those who were fortunate to know her.
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Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 1pm in Our Lady Star of the Sea, Cape May where family and friends will be received from 12:30pm to 12:55pm.
A burial service will be held on June 14, 2025 at the Nassau-Schodack Cemetery, Nassau, N.Y.
In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations to:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741.