Dorothy "Dottie" Honohan

4/6/1924 - 3/2/2023

Mystic - Dorothy "Dottie" Honohan, died March 2, 2023, in Mystic. She was born in New York City, April 6, 1924, to Nina Bourstin and Adolph Gillis. She was predeceased by Edward, her loving husband of 49 years; her daughter Nina; and her cherished friend Ronald E. Williams.

Dottie was raised in Brooklyn, near the Botanic Gardens, which influenced her love of nature. She graduated cum laude with a B.A. from Brooklyn College, studied at Hunter College and later taught in the NYC elementary schools.

In 1956, she and her husband, a top Pfizer chemical engineer, adopted a beautiful baby girl, and in 1960 a boy, with the family eventually settling in East Lyme. She then spent years at home raising her children, until earning an M.A. in education from the University of Connecticut. Thereafter, as a reading consultant, she taught in Willimantic.

When her husband's longstanding kidney disease became acute, she retired and performed hemodialysis at home. With the wonderful guidance of Dr. Alan Klinger and Jane Carini, R.N., of Yale New Haven Hospital, she extended his life for seventeen years, during which he was still able to be an active citizen and enjoy time with his family and their friends. Dorothy regarded this as the major achievement of her life.

Dorothy had many interests, especially reading, music, walking, going to the beach, gardening, traveling, and playing bridge. As a volunteer, she worked for the East Lyme PTA, the local AAUW as treasurer, and tutored for Literacy Volunteers. She was a founding resident of StoneRidge in Stonington, which provided many outlets for her varied interests. She took good advantage of the many social and recreational opportunities there, participated in committees and was a well-loved and respected member of the community. She wanted to express her thanks to her good friends, especially Linda Heller and the staff of Sail and Top Sail for all their kindness.

Dorothy is survived by her son Michael; her son-in-law Robert Karnes; and grandson Alexander.