Dorothy "Dot" Calderwood

Dorothy (Dot) Calderwood died on March 26, 2016, at the age of 97. She was born in Hartford, Connecticut on February 12, 1919 to Frances Isabel (Lowe) and Arthur Zeiser. Her parents and her one brother, Robert Zeiser, predecease her.

Dot graduated from Farmington Connecticut High School and continued her studies of music at Hartford Conservatory. She excelled in both piano and organ and played in several concerts and churches in the Hartford area.

After raising two children, Dot became an accomplished portrait artist, and won several juried shows. She also returned to work for the CIGNA Corporation, retiring at age 65. She would continue to work part time until age 71.

After living for most of her life in Simsbury, Connecticut, she moved in 1988 to Mendham, NJ to be near family. It was there that she found a passion for volunteering for “The Seeing Eye” headquarters. She was honored for 10 years of service when she was 81. Dot then moved with her daughter to Williamsburg, Virginia in 2001.

In Williamsburg she had many interests and remained active until shortly before her death. She loved to knit, shop, go to Bible Studies, and talk on the phone. Dot was a member of Williamsburg Presbyterian Church and the Kingsmill Women’s Social Club. In her last months, unable to walk easily, she enjoyed car rides and lunches in Kiwanis Park and by the James River.

She is survived by her son David Calderwood (Meg) in Manassas, Va.; her daughter Faith Shartzer (Len) in Williamsburg; Grandsons Tom Calderwood and Graham Calderwood in Northern Virginia; Grandson David Harrington (Blaire) in Wilmington, NC and great granddaughter Audrey Harrington.

There will be a memorial service at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church at 2:00 on Saturday, April 2, 2016. Burial at Williamsburg Memorial Park will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either “The Seeing Eye” (PO Box 375, Morristown, NJ 07963-0375) or Williamsburg Presbyterian Church Music Program (215 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185). Online condolences may be offered at www.nelsencares.com.