Remembrance of Dorothy Louise (Stanton) LeFever Loved, Missed, and forever Cherished by her family. SEPTEMBER 14, 1929 – AUGUST 16, 2018 Dorothy was born on September 14, 1929, in Norwich, NY, the second child of Walter & Muriel Stanton. She grew up on a farm in Poolville, NY, along with her sisters Irene & Marion, and their brother Lynn, until the death of her mother from double pneumonia when Dorothy was just nine years old.
Their father, Walter, was also hospitalized for double pneumonia at the same time. Although he recovered and returned home, he felt he could not take care of his four children properly by himself, and so he placed them in the Masonic Home for Orphaned Children in Utica, NY on August 16, 1939—four weeks short of Dorothy’s 10th birthday. Dorothy lived at the Masonic Home for eight years, separated from her sisters & brother by age and gender as was their system at the time—a deeply traumatic and defining period of her young life.
At age eighteen, she went to The Juilliard School of Music, eventually earning a combined bachelor’s/master’s degree in instrumental piano music. We believe the photo above shows Dorothy at her senior recital, beautiful and smiling radiantly. Dorothy then moved to Buffalo, NY, where she taught music at a private school.
Fate intervened when she attended a church social with her sister, Irene…and met a persistent young chemical engineer named Jack LeFever, who would become the love of her life for the next seven decades. Charmed by her beauty, profound kindness, empathy, and talent, Jack proposed after a whirlwind courtship. What else could Dorothy say?
After the “I do’s”, they honeymooned in Bermuda, where Dorothy promptly collided with a tree while learning how to drive a motor scooter (she was OK) The couple soon moved to Brooklyn, NY, where Jack worked for Union Carbide by day while spending the evenings pursuing an accelerated patent law degree at St. John’s University School of Law. Jack and Dorothy were ecstatic upon the arrival of their first child and only son, Steven, and not to be outdone, Suzanne followed soon after. The Brooklyn Heights apartment was becoming cramped, so the family moved north to the suburbs in White Plains, NY.
Robin brought her brainpower and organizational ability to the household as the middle child, and after taking a five-year hiatus, Jack and Dorothy increased the family size again, when Kristin and then eventually Sharon were born. Many children and adults were fortunate enough to have had Dorothy as their piano teacher over the years. She regularly shared her gift of music, both as teacher and performer, at the Memorial United Methodist Church, within various Westchester community groups, and last but least, our family.
Dorothy is survived by her husband Jack LeFever of Sleepy Hollow; NY, son Steven LeFever of Libby, MT; daughter & son-in-law Suzanne (Sue) & Bill Gilbreth of Ojai, CA & grandson Conway Gilbreth; daughter & son-in-law Robin & Tim Corriston of Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ & grandchildren Kelsie, Michele, & Liam Corriston; daughter & son-in-law Kristin & Jimmy Hallett of Abington, MA & granddaughter Nicole Rege; daughter & son-in-law Sharon & Mark Zablan of Surrey, UK & Newport Beach, CA, & grandchildren Olivia & Rocco Zablan, as well as nieces Elaine Lyon & Diane Hannon & many other nieces & nephews. Dorothy’s family wishes to thank all the incredible, loving, and dedicated staff at the Clearwater Unit at Kendal on Hudson. Individually and collectively you gave our mother exemplary nursing and ancillary care, and with such kindness and compassion.
You made sure that our Father was comfortable and you facilitated his visits with mom, as much as feasible. Each one of you holds a very special place in our hearts for the work that you have done and we will be forever grateful! A remembrance will be held on Sunday September 23rd at 11:15 am at Memorial United Methodist Church, 250 Bryant Ave, White Plains, NY.
Dorothy’s children will be gathering to honor and share memories at the Poolville, NY cemetery in the next few months. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to Save The Music Foundation at www. vh1savethemusic.org Save The Music Foundation at www.
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