Dorothy was born in Worcester, MA to Edgar Herbert Corttis and Florence “Edith” Brown Corttis and spent her childhood on the family “farm” in North Grosvenordale, CT. She attended Tourtellotte High School and graduated from Syracuse University in December 1945. She obtained a Masters in Education from the University of Vermont and highly valued education.
Dorothy began her teaching career at the age of 20 and was a beloved math teacher, most recently at Wyoming Central School from 1959 to 1986 where she taught math classes from 7th grade to 12th grade. She was very involved in school activities, acting as class advisor for many senior class trips to Florida and Washington, DC. Dorothy was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Delta Kappa Gamma, Ancient and Honorable Artillery Unit, the National Society of Colonial Dames XVII Century, National Society of the Daughters of the American Colonists, the Early American Witches’ Society, the Order of the Eastern Star, and was a 50 year member of the Grange. She was also active in Beta Gamma teacher’s association, Alpha Delta Gamma Educational Foundation and the New York State Retired Teachers’ Association, as well as the NAHDS genealogy society. She was a member of the Brick Presbyterian Church where she served as a deacon and was a Presbyterian enabler.
She married her sweetheart, W. Kenneth Cox, on November 10. 1958. Mr. Cox preceded her in death (1988) along with sisters Elizabeth, Christine, Lucy, Alice, Ruth; brothers Herbert, Harold and two infant brothers. The family thanks her caregiver, Lisa Tallman, for her loving care of Dorothy.
She is survived by her daughters, Janice Palumbos (Alan) of Salt Lake City, UT and Debbie Blanc (Brett Pendergast) of Fairport, NY and Brazilian daughter, Lilian Hashimoto Okada and a son, Steven (Connie) Pullen of Batavia, NY. 4 step-daughters, Mary Law, Sally Johnston, Renie Gorsuch and Judy Conn, 10 grandchildren Mackenzie (Daniel) McKendrick, Zachary, Sierra and Andrew Palumbos; Adam and Morgan Blanc; Sandra (Terry) Rawleigh, James, William and Lucy Pullen. 2 great-grandchildren, Madelynn and Alexander Rawleigh, along with several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends may call on Sunday January 27th from 2-4 and 6-8pm at the Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 N. Main St. Perry. Funeral services will be held on Monday January 28th at 11 am at the Brick Presbyterian Church in Perry. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery in Perry.
Memorials may be made to Home Care and Hospice 405 N. Main St. Warsaw, NY 14569. For more information please call 237-2626 or to sign the online guest registry please visit www.eatonwatsonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main Street Perry, New York 14530.
