Grete Helene Paradies Dodson

1921 - 2018

Grete Helene Paradies Dodson

Port Dickinson - Grete H. Dodson, 97, passed away on April 25, 2018 at the NYS Veterans Home in Oxford. Grete is survived by her loving family, daughter Margaret Dodson Buhl and son-in-law Paul Buhl of Greene, NY; grandchildren Cecilia Buhl Chivers and husband James Chivers of Baltimore, MD; Elizabeth Buhl of Boston, MA; Ethan Buhl and girlfriend Caroline Dormer of Binghamton. Also surviving is Grete's sister Charlotte Hein of Bremen, Germany, and her daughter-in-law, Nancy Hidden Dodson of Westport, WA. She was Aunt Grete to many loved nieces and nephews, and to many step-grandchildren from all over the United States. Grete is survived as well by dear friends in the Binghamton area who loved to meet and speak German together. These gatherings meant much to Grete, and were some of her happiest moments in her retired years.

Grete was born in Nordenham, Germany in 1921, daughter of Ship Captain Heinrich Paradies and Margarete Eisenhauer Paradies. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her beloved son William in 1977, and by her loving husband of 42 years, Rev. Lavere Dodson, in 1998. Grete was also predeceased by her step-children; Edward (Eleanor) Dodson and Alma Dodson (Earl) Cashmore; brother-in-law Virgil (Virginia) Dodson, and sister-in-law Reva Dodson (Ward) Stratton.

Following graduation from High School, Grete attended the English Interpreter Institute in Leipzig, Germany. Grete loved languages, especially the English language, and had longed to visit England. Unfortunately this dream was interrupted by WW II. After the war, Grete worked for the US Army unit stationed in her hometown of Nordenham as a secretary and interpreter, and also as church organist for services at the base led by Army Chaplain Major Lavere Dodson. Years later, in 1954, Chaplain Dodson, now a widower stationed at Fort Dix, NJ, reached out to Grete, who was working in the German Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark. He was again to be stationed in Stuttgart, Germany. Would she meet with him? Grete and Lavere were reacquainted and married in Stuttgart in 1955.

Grete eventually moved with her husband and son Bill to the United States and became a US citizen in 1960. The family lived in Almonesson, NJ, and then Otego, NY, where Lavere served as Methodist Minister in both communities. Along with supporting her husband's career and raising 2 young children, Grete attended Hartwick College, receiving her BA in French and German in 1965. Her first teaching position was in Morris, NY. After Lavere's retirement from the Methodist Church in 1968, the family moved to the Binghamton area, settling in Port Dickinson. Grete taught French, German and Spanish from 1969 until 1984 at Union Endicott High School, and received her MS in Teaching (French) from Binghamton University. During her tenure at UE, Grete inspired many of her students to continue language study in college. She loved literature and poetry and received special joy from reading and rereading the novels of Jane Austen. In addition to her facility with languages, Grete loved music and was an excellent pianist. At the age of 50, she bought a violin in an antique store, started taking lessons, and became a founding member of the Binghamton Community Orchestra, playing violin in the group for 20 years. Her favorite composers were Beethoven, Bach, Brahms and Mendelssohn, and her great delight was seeing orchestras perform, especially our own Binghamton Philharmonic. Grete loved learning, and was a past member of the Binghamton University Lyceum, the Binghamton Choral Society, the Binghamton Harmony Club, and she was a current member of the Western Broome - Eastern Tioga Retired Teachers Association.

Another of Grete's great joys was traveling. She enjoyed camping, the Thousand Islands was a favorite spot, and she loved traveling across the United States and visiting relatives with her husband. Grete often returned to visit her hometown in Germany, but also took trips to Greece, England and Spain. Her last overseas trip was to Italy at the age of 88. A special local place for Grete was the Chenango Valley State Park, where she was known to generations of lifeguards. Nothing gave her more joy than swimming there on a summer afternoon. She taught her grandchildren to swim and instilled in her family a love of swimming that continues to this day.

Grete's family would like to thank all the kind and caring workers at the NY State Oxford Veterans Home, who so lovingly cared for her the last 2 years of her life. Her family would also like to acknowledge all the caregivers who unfailingly provide help to our loved ones in care facilities. The work you do providing solace to those in need is the most important work in our society. Bless you all.

A Celebration of Grete's Life will be held at the Ogden Hillcrest Methodist Church, 1061 Chenango St, Binghamton, on Saturday, May 5. Her family will receive friends there from 11 am until the start of the Memorial Service at 1 PM. Burial will then follow in the East Newark Cemetery on Dodson Hill Rd, Newark Valley.

In lieu of flowers, should you wish to donate a memorial gift in Grete Dodson's name, kindly consider one of the following: Binghamton Community Orchestra, PO Box 1901, Binghamton NY 13902; Binghamton Philharmonic, 71 State St, Binghamton, NY 13901; or Ogden Hillcrest Methodist Church, 1061 Chenango St, Binghamton, NY 13901. She can also be remembered by learning a new language, playing an instrument, attending a local music performance, visiting a different country, or swimming at a local park. Grete loved her adopted country and was exceedingly grateful for all the opportunities that were afforded her in the United States. Her passion for learning, her energy, and her love of life is a gift to her family and all who knew her. MacPherson Funeral Home, Newark Valley is assisting the family. Memories may also be written in her guestbook at macphersonfh.com