Dorothy J. Konchar
MILFORD — Dorothy J. Konchar, 83, a native and lifelong resident of the Milford area, died Friday, Sept. 7, 2012, in Lindenhurst.
Born April 7, 1929, in Milford, Dorothy was one of 10 children, born to Earl and Ella (Olds) Kilts. She attended Milford Central School and married fellow Milford native Edward J. Konchar on Oct. 12, 1958, in Milford. He predceased her on Feb. 23, 2009.
After high school and during the Korean Conflict, Dorothy was employed at the Picatinny Arsenal in Picatinny, N.J. After the Korean Armistist she returned to Milford. She was employed for many years at Crowley’s Corner Store in Milford, and she worked on the staff at Hartwick College for 20 years. In her later years she and her husband worked for the Otsego County Meals on Wheels program preparing and delivering meals.
She was a member of the Milford Fish and Game Club, a communicant and member of St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, and most recently was a member of the Rosary Society at “The Lady of Perpetual Health” Roman Catholic Church in Lindenhurst.
She was proud of her heritage as a native of Milford, and she loved to display the certificate she received at the time of the Milford Bicentennial, which acknowledged the Kilts family’s 200 year history in the Milford area.
Following the death of her beloved Edward in 2009, Dorothy left her home of over 50 years on County Route 35, and moved to Lindenhurst to live with her daughter Tammy’s family, and she quickly made it her home. For all that she did and accomplished outside the home Dorothy was always first and foremost a homemaker for her family. She always put the needs of her family and loved ones ahead of her own.
Her love of baking, cooking, nature, her focus and optimism in the face of life’s troubles, her daily “tomato and onion” sandwiches, her strongly held opinions, her insistence on weekly grocery shopping trips whether or not necessary, her refusal to accept “no” as an answer, and her giving and dedicated attention to her family will be missed by all.
In addition to her husband, Dorothy was predeceased by her son, William in 1975; and eight of her siblings.
She is survived by her daughter, Tammy Afanasewicz, Tammy’s husband, Frank and their two children, Frank and Nicholas, all of Lindenhurst; her daughter-in-law, Eileen, her children, Angie Jacobs, Pamela Colone and Cynthia Weir; her grandson, William Konchar Jr. and his wife, Elena and their two sons, Ben and Jordan, all of Milford. She is also survived by her sister, Ruby Chase; her sister-in-law, Delores Kilts of Cooperstown; and many nieces and nephews and their descendants.
A memorial service celebrating Dorothy’s life will be offered at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown with Father John P. Rosson pastor officiating.
In keeping with Dorothy’s wishes there will be no visiting hours.
Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Index, following the service. Immediately after the burial all in attendance are invited to join Dorothy’s family for a time of refreshment and fellowship in St. Mary’s Catechetical Center.
In lieu of flowers, Dorothy’s family suggests that those who so desire make contributions in Dorothy’s memory to the charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements are under the guidance of Tillapaugh Funeral Service in Cooperstown.
