Dorothy Dean Box

Dorothy Dean Box

Naples, FL

Dorothy Dean Box passed away Saturday, March 5, 2016. She was born in 1925 and raised in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. She moved to Washington, DC in 1939 where she studied at George Washington University. After receiving a B.A.degree in Foreign Affairs in 1948, she was recruited by the National Security Agency (NSA) to be an Intelligence Research Analyst.

A classmate, William John Scheiman, who was a Russian Linguist, recruited at the same time, became her husband in 1950. The couple worked for the agency in the U.S. and he worked for them in England. In 1952 their son, William Karl was born.

In 1960 Dorothy returned to Washington, DC. She helped to form Parents Campaign for Handicapped Children, (also known as Closer Look) a non-profit organization that received government funding. Her proudest achievement was helping to secure passage of PL94142, the Education for All Handicapped Children and Youth.

She next went to San Francisco where she started an organization called California Able (Ability Based on Long Experience) that was designed to help older people get jobs.

In 1985 she married Douglas H. Box, a successful businessman from Corning, NY who retired to Naples, FL where they made their home.

In keeping with her principles of social justice, Dorothy Box was a life long member of the Unitarian-Universalist Church.

She is survived by her son and caregiver, William Karl Scheiman, a long time Naples resident.

Service information will be announced.