Dorothy L. Heywood

Dorothy arrived in March of 1934, to a small home in rural North Carolina, while spending the majority of her first thirteen years in up-state New York…Schenectady to be exact. Her reach, passion, influence, guidance, and mark on this life would be distributed in different cities and states, in this country and abroad. Sharing and gifting kindness, lending a hand whenever needed to a friend, Dorothy Louise Heywood could be trusted and counted-on. She was the “Real McCoy”

As a young girl Dorothy, was rambunctious and energetic, climbing trees and keeping up with her older brother, a self-proclaimed “tomboy” and reputed snowball hurler. She was naturally joyful with bright rosy cheeks and naturally reddish tinted hair, often fashioned into pigtails.

There was nothing more important in Dorothy’s life than caring for and loving her children, no matter the personality, or even the offense she had the capacity to love without condition or time frame, the reservation she held in her heart for loved one’s never expired. Never faded.

Dorothy was born with the incredible gift of absorbing, understanding, and speaking different languages…without any formalized education, she was able to gain command of, and communicate in both “Italian” and “Spanish”. You might have heard her say in an Italian market, “perche i prezzi della carne sono cosi alti qui?” (why are the meat prices so high here?), or in one of the few supervisory positions she held in her life, with some of her Spanish speaking co-workers “Aprecio el trabajo que hiciste la semana pasada” (I appreciate the work you put in last week), her caring spirit transcended language and attitudes.

While never large in stature Dorothy, often showed strength in many ways, always willing to lift things twice her size, or throw her back into a group effort. She could work on a project for days without much sleep, sometimes neglecting her own selfcare. Breathing life into forgotten and/or left-for-dead furniture, she had an eye for such things…real vision. With a legendary green thumb passed down by her mother, Dorothy nurtured plant life with purpose and conviction, an extension of her family holding their own distinct place in her heart.

A devout Christian of unshakeable faith, her outright love and devotion to God and Christ was displayed with beauty and grace. She began and ended her days with the rhythm of scripture, always preparing to ascend.

A daughter and a sister, wife and mother, grand and great grandmother, a loyal friend to others, the path she blazed was wide, and the love she shared and gave will never die.

Dorothy is survived by:

Predeceased daughter Linda King, Daughters- Eyvonne King, Denise Olson, Monique Dewornu, Sons- John King, Tony Heywood, Robert Heywood, Daughter in-laws-Linda King, Maxine Heywood, Jeannine Heywood, Son in-laws Dan Olson, Komi Dewornu, Grandchildren- Lauren Ingram, Anneka Dixon King, Sasha Scott-Paul King, Shamika Rather King, Taylor Rene Heywood, Destiny King, Nina Simone Heywood, Arius King, Hannah Dewornu, Sophia Dewornu, Dontay Heywood, Dominic Heywood, Great Grandchildren- Zachary Scott Paul King, Shiymiq Williams, Shiymir Williams, Saviyon Voss, Seviyn Carter, Juliah Rose Ingram, Thalia Sumana Dixon, Taryn Sumana Dixon, Aria Sumana Dixon, Stone Anthony Heywood, Kazarii Angel Buxton, Life Long Friend- Albert Livingston Dear Friends- Ian Dixon, Max and Sylvia Whiting.

Though Dorothy is no longer with us, her spirit lives on in every act of kindness we do in her name.

Her visitation will be held Friday, May 30, 2025 at 11:00 AM in the PONTARELLI-MARINO FUNERAL HOME, 971 Branch Avenue, Providence followed by a service in the funeral home at 12:00 PM.

Burial services will follow in Swan Point Cemetery 585 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI at 1:00 PM.