NORWICH – Dorothy Monteith Samuels, daughter of Robert James Monteith and Mildred Benham Monteith Van Vorst, died unexpectedly Friday, Jan. 29, 2010 at The Friendly Home in Rochester. She was born on Sept. 30, 1922.
Dorothy graduated from the Pratt Institute of Art in New York City and enjoyed a career in painting and drawing. On June 8, 1947, Dorothy married William S. Samuels III, to whom she was happily married for 57 years before his death in 2004. From 1953 to 1974, Dorothy and Bill lived in Hubbardsville where she was active in the Hamilton Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star serving as Matron, the East Hamilton Methodist Church, Home Bureau, and the Hubbardsville Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary.
In 1974, Dorothy and Bill moved to Norwich, where Dorothy belonged to Made in Chenango, Broad Street Methodist Church, Chenango Art Guild and the Sherburne Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Dorothy also worked at Perry Browne School in Norwich.
Dorothy was an avid Scrabble player and loved playing whenever an opponent or two was available. In 2005, Dorothy moved to Taberg where she resided with her daughter before moving to Atria Assisted Care Facility in Rochester. From there she transferred to The Friendly Home.
Dorothy is survived by a son, William S. Samuels IV and Marylo of Victor, and three daughters and their spouses, Emelyn and John Joyner of Memphis, Tenn., Jacquelyn and David Zasada of Taberg, and Marilyn and Joseph Nosky of Penfield. She was very proud of her grandchildren, Shannon Samuels, Alison Masilak, Sally Joyner, Dianne O’Hern, Stephanie Gier, Rachel Bowman, Eric Zasada, Susan Kalkman and Kristen Nosky. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Emily, Holly, Aurora, Adan, Ryan, Nathaniel and Elizabeth.
Calling hours were on Monday at the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home, 7501 Pittsford Palmyra Road, Fairport, NY 14450 from 3 to 5 p.m., with a short service at the funeral home immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Grand Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, Pounder Hall, 106, 1400 Utica Street, Oriskany, NY 13424.