NEW BERLIN – Dorothy (Dotti) Karalunas Alishauskas, 84, of New Berlin, found final healing and comfort in heaven on March 19, 2013. She passed away peacefully at home.
Dorothy was born in Brooklyn, NY on May 14, 1928 to Sophie and John Karalunas. At a young age, Dorothy moved with her parents as they relocated to Brookfield, NY to operate a dairy farm. She married John Leo Alishauskas on June 24, 1951. John passed away in June 2008 after nearly 57 years of marriage.
She is survived by her children: Lynne (John) Walton, New Berlin, John (Majel) Alishauskas II, Sherburne, and Michael (Cynthia) Alishauskas, New Berlin. Surviving also are grandchildren John Jason Alishauskas, Winchester, Va., Abby (Justin) Russell, Elmira, Chad Alishauskas, Aaron Alishauskas, Jordan Alishauskas, Ryan Alishauskas, Adam Alishauskas, and Laura Alishauskas, Sherburne, Sara Alishauskas, New Berlin, Judith Alishauskas, Ithaca, and Martin Walton, New Berlin. Great grandchildren surviving are Braedyn, Rachael, and William Alishauskas and Kaylee Russell.
Dorothy was a graduate of New Berlin Central School, serving as the valedictorian of the Class of 1944 at age 16. She continued her education and earned a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University School of Nursing. Soon afterward she graduated with a master’s degree from Columbia University earning her certification as a School Nurse Teacher.
Many former New Berlin students will remember Dorothy as “Mrs. A,” she was the New Berlin Central School Nurse Teacher from 1961 to 1984. She sponsored the Future Nurses Club and took them on many trips to visit hospitals in New York City. Dotti worked with her husband John in running John’s Bowl-O-Drome in New Berlin. Area bowling enthusiasts will remember Dotti’s support of bowling teams locally and across the state.
She was a long time member St. Andrew Episcopal Church, where she sang in choir, taught Sunday School, and served on ECW, Hospitality and Vestry. Dotti was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international educational sorority. She served on the school board for New Berlin.
Dorothy has been chairman of the New Berlin Village Health Planning Board, and on the advisory boards of Health Occupations, Head Start, and the Council on Alcoholism. She was also a long standing member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 348, for the Frank H. Arnold Post and in the New Berlin Rotary Club.
Dorothy was a creative and loving person. In all her work, she made caring for others, especially children, a priority. She loved reading, arts and crafts, singing, golfing, and gardening. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a strong faith in God. She was tough when needed and a leader that inspired others.
A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew Episcopal Church, New Berlin, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2013. There will be a reception afterwards with light refreshment in the church community room. In lieu of donations, please send a loving note or letter to someone today.