Dorothy Zug Taylor

Dorothy Zug Taylor ("Dotty"), of Bethlehem, passed away on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at home. She was born Dorothy Kathryn Mayor at St. Luke's, Fountain Hill, daughter of Bernadine Janie and George Mayor. Her father was a steelworker at Bethlehem Steel. She attended Fountain Hill High School, graduating in 1954, and was a 1957 graduate of St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing. She also received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania in 1960 and initially worked as a visiting nurse in Philadelphia, PA. Dotty and her husband Charlie Zug shared a love of politics and community. They built deep relationships and raised three children in Historic Bethlehem. As a young woman, Dotty assumed many top leadership roles in professional and community service organizations. Dotty's political career broke barriers for women. She was often one of the only women in the room. She started her political career in 1966 as a member of the Northampton County Democratic Committee. At a time when women were defined by their husband, Dotty was initially referred to as Mrs. Charles K. Zug III in newspaper articles in the 1960's. It didn't take long for the newspapers to start referring to her as Dotty Zug. In 1974 she became a member of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee and was elected Vice-Chair of the Democratic party of Pennsylvania in 1976. She was elected to Democratic National Committee in the same year, leading the Pennsylvania delegation at the 1976 Democratic convention and serving as one of the only female Electors for Jimmy Carter following the 1976 election. During the Carter Administration, Dotty served on the Democratic National Executive Committee and made frequent trips to Washington and the White House. In 1984, Dotty was appointed to Northampton County Council. She was the first female to serve on the nine-member council and led all members in votes in her 1987 re-election. Dotty was also a trailblazer in the application of early computer technology. In the early 1980's she became a self-taught software engineer. She designed, wrote, and executed computer programs that digitized circulation for the Globe Times, the newspaper in Bethlehem. In the 1990's Dotty spent six months each year in Harbour Island, Bahamas, with her husband Don Taylor. Their Harbour Island journey started in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, which devastated the island. When Andrew passed, Dotty and Don brought chainsaws, water, and other supplies to the island. They spent several months helping the island and its residents in the recovery. In the years after the hurricane, Dotty and Don helped local businesses on Harbour Island, like the plumbing shop and hotels, to automate their processes using computers and software. They also taught computer and coding classes to teenagers. Many of their students are now business leaders on the Island. In her later years, Dotty read the entire newspaper online every day. She had an active opinion on local, national, and international issues and events. She had a voracious appetite for reading fiction and non-fiction, maintained a lovely garden, and fed her hummingbirds every day. Dotty was always generous with her time, a great listener and a wise, graceful counselor to a diverse group of people. She loved and was good at helping people. She impacted so many people by listening to their stories and being involved in their lives. It didn't matter if it was teenagers from Harbour Island, friends of her kids, neighbors, and others in the community. Dotty wanted to hear peoples' stories and impart her wisdom to help in any way she could. Dotty was a beautiful person inside and out. Her smile and laughter would light up the whole room. She cared deeply for the people around her. She was intelligent, kind, passionate and always spoke her mind. The impact she made on her family and friends will remain her legacy. She will be remembered and missed.

Survivors: Dotty will be remembered by her daughter Kathy Zug (Bill Laycock) of Hanover, NH her son Marty Zug (Becky Fair) of McLean, VA, her step-son Jim Taylor (Shelley Taylor) of Pittsburgh, PA and her step-daughter Mary Hudson of Ithaca, NY. She will also be celebrated by her niece Chrissy Mayor and grandchildren Maddie, Eliza, Briland, Calvin, Will and Amelia; And step grandchildren and great grandchildren Alex, Erica, Casey, Nelson, Chris, Eleanor, and Calvin. She was predeceased by her husband Charles K. Zug III, her husband Donald S.Taylor, and her son Charles K. Zug IV.

Services: Services will be private. Arrangements are entrusted to Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, Bethlehem.

Contributions: Dotty created the Dorothy Zug Taylor Endowment Scholarship at the St. Luke's School of Nursing. This program will help nursing students with tuition grants to pursue their education in nursing. In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest a donation to this important program. You can donate at the St. Luke's website https://www.slhn.org/development/ways-to-give/make-a-gift and designate the St. Luke's School of Nursing in Dorothy Zug Taylor's memory. You can also call 484-526-3067