SHELBURNE, VT.
Dorothy J. Sawyer died peacefully at her home of 50 years in Shelburne, Vt., on March 8, 2018. Dorothy was born Dec. 5, 1933, in Franklin. Dorothy, graduated from the University of Maine with high distinction and belonged to the honor society Phi Beta Kappa. She began her working career as a foreign language teacher in Millinocket. In the early 1960s, she relocated to Vermont and co-founded Delta Electric Inc.
Dorothy was a strong advocate for the apprenticeship system and served for 15 years as an employer representative on the Vermont State Apprenticeship Council/Vermont Department of Labor. She was a founding member of the Vermont Child Care Careers & Industry Council and later served as a member of council’s board of directors. Dorothy took immense pride in the number of apprentices who were trained to journeyman status via the apprenticeship system in Vermont. She was also a charter member of the Vermont chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction. Dorothy was also a part of the Pedestrian Safety Committee for the town of Shelburne.
This quick-witted, talented woman will be missed. Anyone lucky enough to have met Dorothy will never forget her. Dorothy was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need and many people can attest to the immense uplift she provided when they needed a true friend or confidant.
Dorothy is survived by her brother, Myron R. Jones, and his wife, Julie, of San Francisco, Calif.; sister, Rosalie Jones Clark, and her husband, Ronald M. Clark, of Trenton and Leesburg, Fla.; nephew, Bryn Jones, of Alameda, Calif., and niece, Catherine L. Stillwell, of Franklin; stepson, Thomas J. Sawyer of Ellsworth, stepdaughter, Louise Sawyer Talkington; granddaughter, Anna Warren, of Freeport; and grandsons, Nicholas and Thomas Sawyer, of Ellsworth.
Dorothy was predeceased by her husband, Elwood V. Sawyer; her parents, Isaac T. Jones and Catherine Cunningham Jones; her sister, Miriam Stillwell, and her brother, Leonard Jones and also by her beloved cat, Frosty, who accompanied her to work every day.
The family would like to thank Dorothy’s many friends for their love and support throughout the years and with recent health events. The multitude of her friends bears testimony of her impact on the lives of those who had the privilege to have known her.
In keeping with Dorothy’s wishes, a gathering of her family and close friends will be arranged to celebrate her life with laughter and the sharing of the many happy memories they hold of Dorothy.
Donations in Dorothy’s memory may be made to Hospice of Champlain Valley, 1110 Prim Rd., Colchester, VT 05446 or Humane Society of Chittenden County, 142 Kindness Ct., S. Burlington, VT 05403.