In Memory of Dorothy Elizabeth (Coons) Chadbourne

Obituary

Dorothy Elizabeth (Coons) Chadbourne, 95, of Acacia Village and formerly of New Hartford, died peacefully at St. Luke’s Hospital on August 9, 2023. She was born in Schenectady, NY, the daughter of the late Ernest Coons and Marion (Crounse) Coons, and grew up in Scotia, NY where she was a Girl Scout, and graduated from Scotia High School as class valedictorian. She graduated from Cornell University in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science. She married Arthur Chase Chadbourne on November 25, 1950, in Scotia, NY; they lived in Hallowell Maine, Utica and New Hartford, NY.

Dorothy met Art, the love of her life, at Cornell. Dorothy and Art shared a union blessed with 65 years of marriage filled with unconditional love. She missed him dearly since his passing in 2015 and was waiting to join him again. Dorothy dedicated herself to her role as wife and mother. Together they raised 5 children in New Hartford whom they were very proud of. She enjoyed following the activities and accomplishments of her children and grandchildren, and later, her great grandchildren.

Dorothy had many hobbies and interests; she was expert in cooking and baking, and adventurous with foods including food canning, dandelion wine, donuts, and international cuisine. A skilled seamstress, she sewed clothes for her children, husband, and self (including her own wedding clothes), and knitted socks and mittens for the family and church bazaars. She volunteered at the Oneida County Extension office.

Dorothy and Arthur were both skilled at replacing chair seats of cane, rush, and wicker, and had a large clientele. For years, she taught Adult Ed classes on caning and other practical arts. With Arthur, Dorothy supported the Adirondack Railway Preservation Society with their scenic train rides and other events.

She was a faithful member of the New Hartford Presbyterian Church. She volunteered at church, at Faxton Hospital, and at many Masonic and Shriner events. She was a long-time resident of Acacia Village, and appreciated all the staff there who treated her so well.

Dorothy and Art traveled and continued their education by attending Elderhostels in the US and London. She enjoyed summers at the camp they built on Kayuta Lake, especially playing card games, volleyball, and badminton with her family, and tending to pine trees and bonfires.

Dorothy is survived by her children, Deborah Nasto(Robert) of New Hartford, NY, Bruce Chase Chadbourne(Linda) of Lebanon, PA, James Scott Chadbourne(Debbie) of Schroon Lake, NY, Daphne Gutierrez(Antonio) of Hernando, FL and Julia Taylor(Stephen) of Indian Land, SC, nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. She is survived by her sister Patricia McPhail and predeceased by her sister Marilyn Failing and brother Ernest (Bud) Coons. She will be greatly missed for her motherly care, friendliness, wittiness, openness, and energy.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Acacia Village, in the Masonic Community, Bleecker St. on Sunday, September 3, at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Masonic Care Community in her memory.

Arrangements by Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford, NY.

For online expressions of sympathy go to fwefh.com.