Naetzker, Dorothy “Dott”

Dorothy (Dott) Diers Naetzker

Fairport, New York

Born on October 3, 1929

Passed on February 27, 2019

 

In Celebration

Predeceased by her loving husband of 67 years, Donald P. Naetzker. Survived by her children, Cara (Ben) Meyers, Donald Naetzker II, Martha Aho (David Monheim), grandchildren, Kathryn (Keith) Meyers Emery, Matthew (Meredith) Meyers, Hayden, Hanna, Kiara, and Dylan Naetzker, Jennifer and Jon III Aho, great-grandson, Fletcher Meyers Emery, as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family will greet callers at 10:30AM in the church community room, immediately followed by a memorial service celebrating Dott’s life at 11:30AM on Saturday, March 16^th at the First Congregational Church, 26 East Church St., Fairport, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Lollypop Farm.

Family

Dott was a unique, strong, kind, and extraordinary woman. Her rich and varied life spanned an incredible variety of experiences and roles:  much-loved child, sister, mother , grandmother, great-grandmother; loyal friend; WWII plane spotter; Norway cruise adventurer; ice skater; singer; kindergarten teacher; antique dealer; seamstress; quilter; maker of stuffed bears; baker of breads; real estate salesperson; passionate reader and learner; and so much more. But ultimately she gave her greatest focus, time, energy, and love to her family.

Dott grew up in Fredonia, New York on a quiet tree lined street with loving parents and a wonderful older brother.  Her memories of her childhood reflect the small town nature of her community, and she shared stories of lifelong best friends, music lessons (not her favorite!), being in school plays, and summers at her friend’s house on the shore of Lake Erie. She spent her early childhood living on Lowell Place, and then moved next door to Holmes Place in a house designed by her mother.  Dott shared many happy childhood memories, including good friends, ice cream sundaes at the local soda shop, and being in school plays. She also had serious ventures as part of the WWII war effort as a member of the Army Air Force Aircraft Warning Service in 1944, plane spotting on the hills outside of Fredonia.  And when she graduated from high school she travelled by ship to Norway, a voyage and experience that she treasured all of her life as reflected in her extensive collection of antique Norwegian boxes.

Dott’s father was her rock.  Pud (Francis), as he was affectionately known, instilled a strong sense of family values, patience, and kindness in her.  Pud was chair of the music department at SUNY Fredonia, and she was so proud of him, his amazing tenor voice and musical talent –but mostly, she was Daddy’s girl and blossomed in his absolute love and acceptance of her. Her mother, Margaret – or  Imar –  got her nickname from  granddaughter Cara and the name stuck – not just with the family – but was adopted by Margaret’s best friends.  Imar influenced Dott’s gracious style, good taste and her impeccable manners.  Dott’s big brother Harmon, who she deeply loved and adored, was such an important part of her life.  Her pride in his accomplishments was always present, and she told many stories of his years as a pilot in WWII, his beautiful singing voice (like his father), and his many other talents. His gift of an iPad was a source of many communications and she eagerly awaited his e-mails and messages with updates on his wife Ann, and her niece and great-nieces on the Cape.  Dott’s Aunt Tanta was also an important part of her life, giving love, much joy and wonderful stories to tell! Her local nieces and nephews were well-loved and they gave love back in return, with David and Jani year after year stopping by with delicious pies and spending hours updating Dott and Don on family happenings.

Then there was Don. Dott shared almost 70 years of her life with her loving husband. They were a great team, created a strong partnership to raise and provide for their children, and made a beautiful, warm, loving home to share with children, grandchildren, friends and family.  Dott and Don raised three children of their own – Cara, Don, and Martha.  Although the three left the nest and moved to Boston, Maine and Arizona respectively, they all returned to raise their own families close to their parents.  Dott’s grandchildren, Kate, Matt, Jenn, Jake, Hayden, Hannah, Dylan and Kiki were blessed to grow up knowing and learning from Dott.  She was able to know her first great- grandchild, Fletcher, and held him close the day she parted.  Dott was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren – who will carry a part of her soul with them through life.

Profession and Interests

Dott graduated from Fredonia High School in 1946, then spent a year at Cornell University studying home economics before transferring and graduating from SUNY Fredonia with a bachelor degree in education. Her first teaching position was at Indian Landing Elementary School in Brighton, where she taught kindergarten for several years until having her first child.  She “retired” from teaching to focus her time on raising and caring for her three children and was the ultimate home-maker. This time also gave her the opportunity to express her creativity through many outlets including selling crafted items, sewing and tailoring her family’s wardrobe, quilting, embroidering, and virtually any creative endeavor. Dott’s house always had a sewing room and a substantial inventory of quilt pieces, fabrics, yarns, thread spools and craft supplies. She made custom quilts for each of her grandchildren and many family members and friends have benefited from her quilting skills! As well as a talented seamstress, Dott was also a skilled knitter and the family still wears some of her creations. Another knitting legacy that she left her family are artisan quality personalized Christmas stockings which hang on fireplace mantels every year.

Along with her husband, Dott had an entrepreneurial streak, travelling throughout New England and the local area buying and selling antiques and collectibles. Her stint as a business woman included a shop in Fairport Village on West Avenue before urban renewal, where she and her friends, Lola Cosgrove and Joy Manton, sold antiques, collectables and crafts.  Later she and Don opened a shop in half of their home on Pleasant Street. She had a strong knowledge of antiques, loved her teddy bears, samplers, linens, children’s items, Norwegian boxes,  and had a knack for collecting items before they became popular giving her an edge on the market! Dott loved her garage sales – going to them and having them.  There were no apps, no Craigslist and no Google Maps, but she could find and plan the perfect garage sale route for early Friday and Saturday mornings.  With her want ads and Monroe County Atlas she would set out in the Chevette, the Astra or best of all, the yellow VW Thing.  It was her social outing with her daughter and friends, and her joy to make new acquaintances along the way – but she was serious about her finds!  She discovered many antiques and collectibles to sell in her and Don’s antique shop on Pleasant Street, outfit her home, and treasures for the grandkids. Dott was also a successful real estate agent during the 1980’s, a joint effort with her daughter Cara for a number of years.

Dott was a voracious reader and life-long learner, listening to public radio and any source she could access to better understand the world around her. She had a great interest in current affairs and was passionate about social justice with a focus on people and her community – on an individual level and the broader world. The Village of Fairport was special to Dott and after moving to this tight-knit community in 1955, she quickly became deeply invested in the Village, its library, local vendors, and her neighbors.  Some of her dearest friends came from her early involvement in the Congregational church circle and its outreach activities.  Together with Louise Slaughter and other like-minded friends she was part of the initiative that successfully fought to save Hart’s Woods in Fairport Village, and was involved in political campaigns for her neighbors Mayor Pete McDonough and Congresswoman Slaughter. Her and Don’s door was always open for friends and family to drop by and be welcomed with coffee and homemade cookies (or a glass of wine!)

Ice-skating was a passion of Dott’s.  Begun on the backyard rink at Lowell Place that Pud built for her, she continued free-skating and lessons into her 70’s at Thomas Creek Ice Arena.  Skiing was another winter activity she enjoyed, but only because she could do it with her kids at her friend’s ski resort in Chautauqua County.  Dott was a supportive spectator, making sure that she was at her children’s and grandchildren’s soccer, baseball, and running events.  Least known was Dott’s short stint racing mini-bikes. (productmanagementexercises)   Her first and only attempt in the backyard of 220 South Main Street when she spun out and tore up her own lawn!

And all her family and friends know that dogs were (almost!) as important to Dott as her kids – she was passionate about her dogs and they were ever-present and enduring companions in her life.  While Dusty was her last love, her poodles Cody, Max, Mitzi, Aimee, Pip, and cocker spaniel Toddy were equally as special to her.  When she was in her 70’s Dott became a volunteer dog trainer at Lollypop Farm focusing on basic training so they would be adoptable and go to safe and loving homes. Two of her favorite television shows were the Westchester Dog Show and Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer. She also had many well-read dog training books!

Dott was the original health-food advocate replacing sugar with wheat germ whenever she could.  While the other kids were getting PB&J sandwiches Dott’s kids were eating peanut butter, mayonnaise and lettuce (reduce the sugar and add a vegetable).  Canned date-nut bread was a regular in her kid’s Christmas stockings. Her kids felt blessed when they were allowed to eat raw cabbage at the halfway point between Fairport and Dunkirk/Fredonia on their trips to visit the grandparents.  It wasn’t all vegetables though – she had famous and delicious recipes including her homemade chocolate sauce, speedy cheesecake, pumpkin pie, lasagna, bread, rolls, and carrot cake.

Grandchild Memories

While Dott had many personal accomplishments, she also leaves a tremendous legacy as a devoted Nana.  She had a major hand in raising all of her grandchildren with untold hours of babysitting, playground time, museum visits, creative projects, many, many student musical concerts (that is true love!) and was passionate about sharing culture and the world with them. Some grandchild memories include: cinnamon toast; Ovaltine & Chinese checkers after getting picked up from Brooks Hill elementary school; gingerbread cookies at Christmas; setting up and playing with the Victorian dollhouse; making quilts for the dogs at Lollypop Farm with the leftover fabrics from her sewing projects; picking blackberries in the back yard and raspberries every year at a local farm; picking up sticks and weeds and getting ten cents a bucket; learning to knit and bake; carrot cake she brought in her basket, homemade play dough; frozen kranz at Christmas; handmade clothing for American girl dolls; making teddy bears; hand written letters filled with newspaper and magazine clippings; poinsettia wrapping paper; way too healthy lunches;  scoops of peanut butter; nursery rhymes; being read to; and Nana’s bread, can’t forget that!

Personality

Dott was vibrant, strong, and always there for her family and others. Even through her health challenges she remained positive and planned for the time when she would regain her strength, continuing to be focused on her family, organizing her keepsakes, keeping up with current events, and enjoying her British Baking Show.

With Thanks

Never wanting to leave Fairport, Dott passed quietly in her Fairport home at 205 South Main, exactly where she wanted to be. The family wishes to thank the many, many incredible friends, aides, and healthcare professionals who made this possible. We thank you Jeff, Katherine, Emily, Becky, Shannon, Selena, Holly, Lissa, Kulaishi, Sharon, Pattie, Helga and others.  Her primary care team of Dr. Wallace Johnson and Lisa, and the teams from the Veterans Administration and Lifetime Care showed extraordinary caring and compassion.