Dorothy R. Anthony

Dorothy (Dotty) R. Anthony died April 16 after many years of disability and decline following a car accident in 1999. Mrs. Anthony was born March 2, 1926 in Boston, MA, grew up in Wollaston and attended Quincy High School. In 1948, she graduated with a BS/RN in Nursing from Simmons College and married her childhood sweetheart, John J. Anthony. They honeymooned in Chatham, then lived in Malden and Melrose, MA where Dotty taught Mother and Baby classes for the American Red Cross and began raising their four children. In 1962, the Anthonys moved to Pennsylvania, where Dotty worked as a nurse at the Baldwin School for Girls in Bryn Mawr and as supervising RN for Devon Family Practice. They continued to spend summers in Chatham, where they retired in 1985.

In retirement Dotty immersed herself in many civic and volunteer activities, including the Chatham Garden Club, the Women’s Club of Chatham, and the Chatham Historical Society as well as leading an arthritis support group with the Cape Cod Hospital Auxiliary. Dotty was a talented seamstress, masterful cook and wonderful hostess who loved to entertain. Together, Dotty and John operated a bed and breakfast from their home, The Brass Bell, and were active in the Brewster Baptist Church, Monomoy Yacht Club, Chatham A’s Booster Club, Chatham Council on Aging, Chatham New Comers Club and Graduates Club, and New Comers Bowling League. They enjoyed sailing their catboat, Sea Belle II, attending Elderhostels, and spending time with friends and family. We will especially miss Dotty’s warm smile, her positive attitude and her gracious hospitality. The family extends their thanks to Esther Simons of Harwich and the caring staff at Pleasant Bay Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Brewster for their devotion to her needs during her long disability.

Mr. Anthony preceded his wife in death in 1997. Mrs. Anthony is survived by two sons, John J. Anthony, Jr., of Bailey Island, ME, and Robert B. Anthony of Maple Glen, PA; two daughters, Janet R. Spencer of Sacramento, CA, and Judith A. Anthony of Plymouth, MN; and 6 grandchildren, Toby Spencer, Rebecca Curland, Naomi Curland, Noah Curland, Chava Curland and Jason Anthony; one great-granddaughter, Elea Spencer, and one niece, Cynthia Blair.

A Graveside Service will be held at Seaside Cemetery in Chatham on May 5 at 11 AM. Memorial donations may be made to Brewster Baptist Church or Chatham Council on Aging, 193 Stony Hill Road, Chatham, MA 02633. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com