She was born in Westport, N.Y., on Oct. 7, 1932. She was the daughter of Francis and Hazel Denton of Lewis, N.Y.
She dedicated the first part of her life to raising her five children. In all of whom she instilled her love of the written word. She was an especially strong-willed person. So much so that she became the "rock" that her children would always lean on. A true matriarch in every sense of the word. Once her children were following their chosen paths and left the homestead, she decided to go to university and acquire an education. She became an adjunct professor of sociology at Plattsburgh State University. Her new vocation provided her with the most fulfilling days of her life. From the first day of her employment by Plattsburgh State her No. 1 concern became the progress of her students. She taught courses online during the summer semesters as well. Over the course of her 79 years she accumulated a long and impressive list of friends, all of whom will sincerely miss her.
She was predeceased by her youngest child, Howard Allan Smith.
She was survived by her three daughters, Christine Ellen Reynolds, Maureen Ann Parker and Stephanie Lynne Smith; as well by her son, Charles Forrest Cleland. She had six grandchildren; Jason Hogue, Emily Reynolds, Jacob Gonzalez, Jarod Parker, Grant Reynolds and Molly Smith, all of whom were "just crazy about" their Grandma Dot. She had three great-grandchildren as well, Isabella Gonzalez, Lilah Jean and Charlie-Rey Stringer.
At this time arrangements for a memorial are in the developmental stage. As soon as plans become final they will be posted.
She was born in Westport, N.Y., on Oct. 7, 1932. She was the daughter of Francis and Hazel Denton of Lewis, N.Y.
She dedicated the first part of her life to raising her five children. In all of whom she instilled her love of the written word. She was an especially strong-willed person. So much so that she became the "rock" that her children would always lean on. A true matriarch in every sense of the word. Once her children were following their chosen paths and left the homestead, she decided to go to university and acquire an education. She became an adjunct professor of sociology at Plattsburgh State University. Her new vocation provided her with the most fulfilling days of her life. From the first day of her employment by Plattsburgh State her No. 1 concern became the progress of her students. She taught courses online during the summer semesters as well. Over the course of her 79 years she accumulated a long and impressive list of friends, all of whom will sincerely miss her.
She was predeceased by her youngest child, Howard Allan Smith.
She was survived by her three daughters, Christine Ellen Reynolds, Maureen Ann Parker and Stephanie Lynne Smith; as well by her son, Charles Forrest Cleland. She had six grandchildren; Jason Hogue, Emily Reynolds, Jacob Gonzalez, Jarod Parker, Grant Reynolds and Molly Smith, all of whom were "just crazy about" their Grandma Dot. She had three great-grandchildren as well, Isabella Gonzalez, Lilah Jean and Charlie-Rey Stringer.
At this time arrangements for a memorial are in the developmental stage. As soon as plans become final they will be posted.
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