Dorothy A. Capwell

Dorothy A. Capwell of Copiague, L.I., passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, November 24th at the age of 85.

“Dot”, as she was affectionately known, was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador to her late parents, George L. Capwell and Margaret Kane Capwell, both originally from Upstate NY. She grew up in Guayaquil and Panama but attended Sacred Heart schools in the States before graduating from Manhattanville College in NY and obtaining her Master’s Degree in Education from St. John’s University on Long Island. Dot found her passion in education and was a longtime Elementary Teacher in the Bethpage Public Schools. She taught Grades 3, 4 and 5 at the Pine Avenue and Kramer Lane Schools and was recognized as a sincere and steadfast advocate for her students. She was also an active member of the Bethpage Congress of Teachers’ Union, and she served as the Union’s Building Representative for many years.

Dot’s interests were numerous and varied, and she loved planning activities with friends and family. When physically able, she was an avid jogger, skier and tennis player, and she nourished her fondness for tennis by her attendance at the US Open each year. Having been an Art History major in college, she traveled extensively to take in the museums, art and culture of Europe, Asia, Central and South America. She was a voracious reader, crossword puzzle enthusiast and theatre afficionado, usually attending the most popular Broadway and Off-Broadway offerings and the latest art installations and exhibitions. She loved discussing current events, supported countless charities, and embraced the easy-listening music of Burt Bacharach and Hal David as sung by Shirley Bassey or Dionne Warwick. In the 60’s and 70’s, she could be spotted driving her sporty Ford Mustangs, sometimes convertibles, in the latest pastel color and style. She was devoted to her beloved Westies, Angus and Holly, each of whom enjoyed lengthy lifespans that provided Dot with over thirty years of love and companionship.

Dot’s true enjoyment in life, however, came from the opportunity to see and spend time with family and close friends. She made sure to be with family for special occasions and holidays, and she scheduled her school and summer vacations to maximize her family trips to Latin America, California and everywhere in between. She also greatly enjoyed family and friends’ visits to Copiague whether staying for a long weekend or just making a quick stopover in NY. Dot welcomed family, friends and newcomers with lively dinner parties and rousing games of Charades, Yahtzee or Trivial Pursuit. Her favorite pastime, without exception, was a day at the beach, and that was the first stop for any visitor, especially her young nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Family was so important to Dot that she took charge of planning and organizing two large family reunions, one in the mid-seventies, and a second in 1997 to coincide with her retirement. In what the family hopes will be a fitting tribute, a third reunion is being planned for the Spring of 2022 to celebrate Dot’s remarkable life.

Dot is survived by her beloved sisters, Kathleen McGuiness of Highland Beach, FL, and Jeanne C. Harris of Albany, NY; and brother, Robert A. Capwell (Loretta) of Naples, FL; she was predeceased by her parents, George L. Capwell and Margaret Kane Capwell, and her brother, George L. Capwell, Jr. She is also survived by her cherished nephews and nieces: Mark McGuiness (Mayiya) of Mexico City, Mexico; Tracey McGuiness of Guayaquil, Ecuador; Sean McGuiness of Highland Beach, FL; Robert Harris (Richard) of Salem, NH; Brenda Morris of Lakewood, CO; Matthew Harris (Mary) of Littleton, CO; Timothy Harris (Catherine) of Denver, CO; Michielle Trotter (Thomas) of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; George Capwell (Julie) of Tucson, AZ; Joseph Capwell (Joyce) of Yucca Valley, CA; Richard Capwell of Yucca Valley, CA; Trevor Capwell (Kelly) of Yucca Valley, CA; and Carrie Capwell (Eric) of Kearney, MO; and numerous great-, and great-great nieces and nephews; she was predeceased by her niece, Moira Moncayo, her great-niece, Nicole Moncayo Craemer, and her nephews, Michael Capwell and James Capwell. Dot also leaves behind life-long friends Jack Fleming, Emily Levi, Greta Gautier, Angela Zaccardi, Sharon Maloney, and many others, including her friends and neighbors at The Anchorage, and especially her friend and longtime caregiver, Minerva “Minnie” Sime.

Family and friends will gather at the funeral home on Friday, December 10th from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. for visitation. During these hours, the Roman Catholic Wake Service and personal eulogies will be offered at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 11th at 9:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption R.C. Church in Copiague. Cremation will follow and is private.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Dot's name to one of Dot’s favorite charities: U.N.I.C.E.F. (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) or The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). Envelopes will be available at the funeral home or you can make donations online or by mail. For UNICEF: www.unicefusa.org or 125 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038; for the ASPCA: www.aspca.org or PO Box 96929, Washington, DC 20090-6929.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.DAndreaBrosFuneral.com for the Capwell family.