Obituary of Dorothy Florence Sheehy
Dorothy Florence Sheehy, formerly from Middlesex NJ, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home with her family present, on December 25th, 2020 in Wolcott, CT. She had just celebrated her 93rd birthday on December 18th with her children and grandchildren. She was “Dot” to her friends, and lovingly called “Dottie” or “The Queen” by her grown children. Her family was the center of her life, and she held a special place in theirs. She will be truly missed.
Born on December 18, 1927, Dorothy was the daughter of Florence and Louis Gebhardt of Queens, N.Y. She grew up in Astoria, Queens, graduating from St. Joseph’s College with a BS in Mathematics. Her first job post college was with AT&T in Manhattan as a Long Lines Scheduler. She would often tell stories of riding the subway to school and work, dates in Manhattan, and seeing a scruffy fellow Queens native, Tony Bennett, riding the subway home from neighborhood gigs.
Dorothy married Thomas P. Sheehy in June of 1951. They moved to Middlesex, N.J. where they enjoyed over 60 years of happiness together while raising four children. She worked as a Bedside Teacher for the Middlesex Board of Education for many years, instructing children at home on extended absences due to illness. She was an active parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Virgin Church, a member of the PTA and Altar Rosary Society, as well as a reliable volunteer for all parish events. Not really an “outdoorsy” person, she even volunteered to be a Girl Scout Leader for her two daughters’ troops.
After retiring from teaching in Middlesex Borough, Dorothy devoted herself to teaching English as a volunteer for the Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA). She eventually became the President of the Bound Brook Chapter of the LVA. Her love of travel took her to many countries with her husband Tom. They enjoyed educational travel as well, with the Elderhostel/Road Scholar organization. Even when staying home, she was always planning her next day trip or weekend to see her children and grandchildren, or some local spot that interested her. Dorothy was an avid reader and enjoyed all the programs of the local public libraries. She also loved classical music, opera and drama. She and Tom frequently attended the New Jersey Symphony, Metropolitan Opera, and Paper Mill and Stage Theaters.
After her husband passed, Dorothy took up watercolor painting and crocheted baby blankets and prayer shawls to be donated to organizations for infants and the elderly. She maintained an active social schedule with her lady friends at library events, luncheons, movies and concerts. She eventually moved to Laurel Circle in Bridgewater, NJ, where she made even more friends and was active in book club, Mahjong and musical/social events. No matter where she was, or what she was doing, her family remained the center of her life, love and attention. She cherished her family as it grew, her grandchildren and her many friends.
Preceded in death by her husband and her brother, Joseph Gebhardt of Malvern, PA, she is survived by her children; Thomas Sheehy and his wife Colleen of Bound Brook, NJ, Dr. James Sheehy and his wife Dale of Leonardtown, MD, Beth Ann Walsh and her husband Lance of Wolcott, CT, Claire Butera and her husband Joseph of Franklin Park, NJ, and her seven loving grandchildren; Michael Sheehy, Claire Sheehy-Klim, Kaitlyn Sheehy, Ian Walsh, Alex Walsh, Jennifer Butera and Melissa Butera.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Bristol Hospital Home Care and Hospice, who took exceptional care of her during this final time.