“If you want something done, ask a busy woman.” Dorothy Gailey Bedor left this earth on January 9, ending a long life of community involvement, mentorship and giving back. She was indeed a busy woman.
Born in 1930 to Flossie Eiss Gailey and Charles Cool Gailey, she grew up in Stone Mills, NY, graduating from LaFargeville High School at the top of her class. After studying briefly at Syracuse University, she returned home to marry the love of her life, Junior Bedor, at Stone Mills Methodist Church. She and Junior shared a lifetime, partnering over more than sixty years in several businesses, including dairy farming, bulk milk trucking and a you-pick strawberry operation.
The family relocated in 1962 to a farm in Adams, NY where both Dorothy and Junior were well known for their involvement in the community and their church. Dorothy taught senior high Sunday school for many years, was active with women’s groups and led youth groups in Adams, often partnering with youth leaders in nearby communities. She led two 4-H clubs and took groups to Camp Aldersgate and on several bus trips. She often found time to host elegant meals with her close friends and family. In more recent years she led a popular Bible study at Watertown’s Church of the Nazarene, where a close knit group of women met every week.
She is survived by her daughters Carol (Mike), Shirley (Joe), Jil (Kerry) and Nancy (Don), a sister, Frances, a brother, Charles, 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, January 24 at 12 noon at Watertown Life Church of the Nazarene, 535 Thompson Blvd, Watertown, NY, 13601. Visitation with the family will precede the service from 11 AM to noon. A luncheon will follow the service at the church. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the church or to Grove Cemetery Assn., 20173 County Route 181, LaFargeville, NY 13656.
Arrangements are with Reed & Benoit Funeral Home, Inc. and condolences may be made online at www.reedbenoit.com.
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