NORWICH – Dorothy C. Lancashire, 95, of Norwich, formerly of Montour Falls, passed away early Friday, Oct. 10, 2008, in the United Methodist Homes-Pearl and Everett Gilmour Health Care Facility.
Born in Pennellville, Dorothy was a daughter of the late Bert C. and Ruth Cate. For most of her schooling, she attended Cook Academy in Montour Falls, where her father was Head Master and her family actually lived on the third floor of the academy. She was a 1935 graduate of Elmira College, and taught school in Schuyler Lake. On Sept. 24, 1938, she married George F. Lancashire, and they celebrated 50 years of marriage shortly before his passing in 1988. Dorothy lived at various places in the Eastern United States as her husband had several transfers with American Can Company, eventually retiring in Montour Falls.
She was a basketball star in both high school and college, and an avid golfer into her 80s, with several tournament wins. She loved attending all sports events or watching them on the TV, and was a special fan of those teams from Baltimore and Detroit. Dorothy was well known for her ability to play piano by ear, and was a frequent volunteer at both the Montour Falls Hospital and Montour Falls library. Her special pride was her grandchildren and family.
Dorothy is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Burdette Bridge of Norwich; and her grandchildren: Richard and Shirley Jean Bergman of Horseheads, Capt. Robert and Kim Bergman of Virginia Beach, Barbara and Dr. Michael Guarnaccia of Closter, N.J., and Christine and Nilesh Parmar of Stamford, Conn. Also surviving are 13 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Dorothy had four siblings - the late Louis and Willie Cate of Tucson, Ariz., Barbara and the late Wester White of Dryden, the late Margaret and Dr. Peter Ward of Odessa, and Bill and Genie Cate of Ethan, Va.
Memorial services for Dorothy will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday from the United Church of Christ, First Congregational. The Rev. Joseph Connolly, pastor, will officiate. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary, 220 Steuben St., Montour Falls, NY 14865.