Dorothy M. Foell

She attended the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY, studying voice and piano. She married Charles Foell on April 30, 1949. They lived in various places in New Jersey and upstate New York throughout their early married lives, but settled in when they got to the Oneonta area in 1960. Dottie worked for many years as receptionist to Dr Gilbert Gier, then as an administrative assistant at SUNY Oneonta for Ancillary Services until her retirement.

Dottie was a bright and vivacious woman. She loved to sing, dance and laugh. She was a talented seamstress: when her children were young, she worked from home, making beautiful custom draperies and home furnishings. She sang in the Oneonta Community Chorale and toured Europe with the group. She was on the board of directors for the local affiliate of the AAA Motor Club. She and Charlie were founding members of the Friends of the Library. They supported the local arts community, particularly the Catskill Symphony, the Catskill Wind Ensemble and the Oneonta Concert Association. She loved to read mysteries, spy stories, psychological dramas and the occasional bodice ripper. Many people who knew Dottie were surprised that she was an only child with 8 of her own children. She raised them all with patience and kindness. She encouraged them all to do the right thing, in the right manner. She took great pride in their many accomplishments.

In addition to all of their children, she and Charlie mentored and befriended many SUNY Oneonta exchange students over the years. There were many happily chaotic gatherings at their house featuring foods from Europe, Asia, Siberia, Africa, and the Caribbean. She was an adventurous cook, willing to tackle most any cuisine! Dottie and Charlie delighted in hearing about their foreign students discoveries about America, and loved their role as informal educators and ambassadors. Many of these students have remained friends throughout the years, whether they went back to their home countries or stayed and built lives here.

Dottie is survived by her children, Kristin (Foell) and John Earl, Amelia (Foell) Stern, Samuel and Hatice Foell, Fredrick and Katia Foell, John and Jane Foell, Julia (Foell) Rudloff and friend Joseph Paliotta, Suzanne (Foell) and Daniel Lentz, and David and Susan Foell, as well as many grandchildren and quite a few great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband, Charlie, her son-in-law, Kenneth Stern, and her parents.

We who are her family grieve, but we are grateful for every day that we spent with her. She was a lovely person.

A service to celebrate her life will be held in the spring. An announcement with the date and time will appear in the Daily Star at that time.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Catskill Symphony Orchestra, PO Box 14, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website: www.grummonsfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home of Oneonta.