Dorothy ‘Dot’ Marie Ryder, 95

Dorothy “Dot” Marie Ryder went to Heaven on Tuesday, October 23, 2012.

She was born to Arthur and Catherine Davis on November 30, 1916 in the Bronx, NY.

Dorothy started coming to Bovina Center during the summer when she was 5 years old, visiting her mother’s friend, Martha Russell. She continued enjoying country life, starting to waitress at Bovina boarding houses when she was 14. During the school year she attended Morris High School in the Bronx and went to basketball games at the local YMCA, where she met her future husband, Russell Ryder. After a 3 year courtship, they were married September 18, 1938. Their only child, Thomas, was born in 1942.

Dot worked at various jobs, retiring from Metropolitan Life Insurance. Dot, Russell and their son, Tom, continued to come to Bovina Center in the summer, renting a home and finally buying a retirement home there. They enjoyed traveling and spending time with their two granddaughters, Kimberly and Heather Ryder. Russell and Dorothy enjoyed 54 years of happy married life until his death in 1992.

Dorothy was very active in the life of Bovina Center. She attended the Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday School. She belonged to the Bird Watcher’s Club, Historical Society, and the Delhi Senior Citizens Group. Dorothy was awarded the Delaware County Senior Citizen of the year in 2002. She volunteered at the Delaware County Humane Society and the Open Door. She was always available to take someone to Delhi or Oneonta for doctor/dentist appointments. She was interested in everyone she met and always extended a helping hand to anyone in need. A friend recently wrote, “I will always associate the face of loving kindness with Dot Ryder.”

Dorothy found many new, caring friends at the Peaceful Flats Community in Oneonta when she moved there in 2008. She will be missed by her neighbors.

Dot is survived by her son Thomas and his wife Linda; her granddaughters, Kimberly (Brian) Trask, and Heather Ryder; her great granddaughter Kayleigh Trask was a particular joy as Dot did not expect to see great grandchildren.

She is also survived by her step-granddaughters, Jennifer Rivers, Melissa (Jason) Youngs, and Julie Brownell; her step-great grandchildren, Megan and Amanda Rivers, and Ashley, Joshua and Zachary Youngs; cousins, Richard (Abby) Scheedel, William (Jean) Scheedel, Edward (Susan) Scheedel, Russell (Deb) Scheedel and Dale (Eddie) Muniz, and beloved lifelong friends, Margie Marquette of Florida and Frances Burns of Bovina.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses of the ICU and 2 North at Fox Hospital and the staff at Fox Nursing Home for their kind and loving care.

Friends and family may call from 6 to 8pm on Friday, October 22, 2012 at the Bookhout Funeral Home, 34 River Street, Otego, at which time the family will be in attendance.

Funeral services will be held at 11am on Saturday, October 27, 2012 in the United Presbyterian Church, County Road 6, Bovina, New York, with the Rev. Garrett Schindler officiating. Interment will immediately follow in the Bovina Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, because of Dorothy’s love of animals, her family asks that memorial donations be made in her memory to the Heart of the Catskills Humane Society, PO Box 88, Delhi, NY 13753.

To light a candle or to send an online condolence to the family, please visit Bookhout Funeral Home's website.

Arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home, Otego.