Dorothy H. Dawson

Dawson (Leizer), Dorothy H.
CHARLTON - Dorothy H. Dawson (Leizer), 86, passed on October 2, 2025. She was born in Albany, N.Y., on April 14, 1939, to William and Mary Leizer (Smith) and lived her first decade on Morton Ave. She subsequently moved to Mcknownville when her parents built a new house on Shady Ln. She graduated from Guilderland High School, and then received her Bachelors and Masters Degrees, as well as her teaching certificate, from the N.Y.S. Teachers College (SUNY Albany).
She was passionate about teaching, and taught business courses at several area schools, including Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, South Colonie and Bishop Maginn. She also used these skills to help students learn to swim, down-hill ski, and helped out with the elementary reading program in the Shenendehowa School District.
Dorothy was also an avid volunteer, and spent over 30 years as a National Ski Patroller, mostly at Hickory Ski Center in Warrensburg, and approximately 30 years as a Master Gardner. She loved ballroom dancing and volunteered for three years on the Board of Directors of the Cotillion Dance Club. In this position, she helped organize their 50th anniversary formal dinner dance at the Canfield Casino in Saratoga Springs. In addition to The Cotillion, she was also a member of the Allegro Dance Club for many years.
Another passion was traveling throughout the U.S.A. and Canada. One of the trips she enjoyed the most was when she and her husband took their fourth and fifth-grade children out of school in late May of 1979, and embarked on an eight-week camping trip across the northern U.S., and then north through western Canada to Alaska. She often said she wished she could spend a year in each state to meet the people and see all the sights.
She was predeceased by her parents and her brother, Ralph. She is survived by her husband, Edward "Sherm"; her daughter, Kristin (Tom) Short of Charlton; and her son, Adam (Paula) Dawson of Boulder, Colo.; and her four grandchildren, Jared and Logan Short and Jacey and Tanner Dawson. She is also survived by her sister, Charlote (Wayne) Moul; and her sister-in-law, Marion Leizer, who was one of her life long best friends. Additionally, she is survived by several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held at the Glenville Funeral Home on Glenridge Road on Saturday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., immediately followed by funeral service. A private interment service for the family will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery in Colonie. Since animals and young children always brought great joy to her life, we ask that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to any charitable organization that serves to care for either of these groups. Online condolences at glenvillefuneralhome.com