Condolences

I have memories of Dot going back 60 years … and they are consistently memories of admiration. By age 4 my parents drove me out to New Hartford to “meet the cousins” and my dad’s extended family. That trip happened either every year or every/other year until I was 17.

Aunt “Dot’s” house was always the center of the family gatherings … and Dot was the heart in that center. Her husband Roger went way over the top (in a good way) to make that house a kid-paradise. It had its own outdoor swimming pool, an attached full-sized baseball (kickball, softball) field and a double deep garage that could seat the 25+ extended family members who would gather there several nights a week for those magical two weeks each year. The Yount kids were kind without a hint of ‘mean’ that kids generate so easily. (FTR all my New Hartford cousins were kind and wonderful to my siblings and I all those years. I now know that says a lot about their parents.)

But the reason Dot’s house was so special was the love that came from Dot herself in just about every situation. I didn’t put it together at the time but I was seeing “love one another” live-and-in-person by watching my aunt.

As I got older I would grill Dot about ‘growing up’ issues — what she thought about dating, education, careers … church and God. In hindsight I see her answers as an ‘in-my-own-words’ translation of Christian ideas lifted out of the Bible. But unlike others in my life who might mention an idea like that … I could watch kindness, forgiveness and charity played out before my eyes with Dot.

I apologize if I’m making her out to be a saint … she would hate that. In fact, she’d not be very pleased about ANY tributes to her. Dot spent her life deflecting attention from herself. So, sorry Dot; please cut me a little slack this time, ok?

But I gotta say you don’t meet too many people who are consistently beacons of wise behavior for almost a century … so indulge me this last comment (or two) and I’ll take my chances that she’ll forgive me for this, as well. I was fortunate enough to attend her 80th birthday party (one held against her wishes, FTR). And just in the past year I talked with Dot a couple of times — because talking to her was somehow a connection for me to talking to my dad (her brother) who passed almost 40 years ago and yet … I still wanted some connection. It was the same Dot; the same courageous ability to hold to convictions she accepted and not be pressured into pretending about ideas she did not agree with. You could hear the priority of selflessness in her words and I suspect there are some pretty lucky grandkids out there based on how shed talked about Bill and Carol’s kids.

Mostly I could hear the same compassion for everyone in her circle in her voice. Even late into her nineties her concern was for others; what made Dot happy was seeing someone else happy.

How do you not love that, right? Sadly I was not smart enough to see or talk to Dot much in my mid-life. Dumb me. But to those who were close to her - I’m sure that includes you Bill and Carol and both of your families as well Carmella’s kids - your loss has to be real and substantial. Because Dorothy was the real deal and we all lost a lot.

John Iacovino

To Bill and Carol I am sorry about your loss of Dot,She was a wonderful lady and for many years growing up On Mayberry place she was like adopted mom to all us kids in neighborhood,My prayers are with you and may Dots smile be ever lasting!
Kevin Noggle

Yount Family,

Veronica and I were very sorry to hear about the passing of your beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister-in-law and aunt, Dorothy.

We have added you and your family to our daily prayer list. And, when we attend mass on Sunday, we will add you and your family to our parish book of prayers.

Having bid adieu to my mother, I can appreciate and empathize with your sense of pain and loss. It's not easy saying good-bye to our moms regardless of age/health because they are so very special having brought us into the world and having nurtured us throughout our lives with a special love that only a mother can provide.

May our Good Lord watch over, bless, protect comfort and console you and your family as you endure this difficult, trying and sad time in your lives.

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your family in your time of loss and sorrow.

Rob & Veronica Sherman

Bill and family, so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Brenda and Jim Capodiferro

Bill and Family I am very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you .

Bill and Family I am very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you .

Bill and family, we are very sorry for the loss of your mom!

Michael and Lisa Jeffery

Billy -

Sending condolences to you and your family during your time of loss.

Neil Wood.

So sorry for your loss. Mrs Yount was a wonderful person. She always made me smile. Such a sweet person. She will be missed. My prayers are with you all at this time.

Much love
Erinn Mahoney-Wells

Bill and Carol - Heartfelt condolences for the loss of your mom. I will always remember her as such a gentle, loving woman for whom family was her greatest joy and source of pride.

William & Carol

“Your mother's kindness was contagious and her memory will live on forever.”

Your family help build a field into a ball park that was a great neighbor hood atmosphere and was great growing up in.

Thanks for all the great memories .

Brian K Noggle

Bill and Family,

We are so sorry for the loss of your Mother/Grandmother. Our deepest sympathy.
Fondly,
Bill and Susan Edwards