- Date Of Death: April 4, 2001
- State: New York
Dorothy ‘Dottie’ Jean McGuire (Des Lauriers), 45 Rensselaer Dorothy ‘Dottie’ Jean McGuire (Des Lauriers), age 45, passed away April 4, 2001, after a long illness surrounded by those who loved her dearly. She is survived by her mother, Doris L. Des Lauriers, and was predeceased by her father, Joseph F. Des Lauriers. She also leaves her godparents, William and Susan Blom and Bev Witkowski, her godson, Adam Sittler, and her dear friends Pat Gallagher and Shirley Morgan. Dottie resided in Rensselaer County her entire life. She graduated in 1973 from the Waterford-Halfmoon High School, and earned both her BS and MS from the College of Saint Rose. At the time of her death, Dottie was a music teacher in the Schodack Central Schools, where she has been employed since 1981. She leaves behind thousands of students whose lives she has touched through music. Dottie’s motto—“If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life,” embodied her fervent love of music and her ability to instill this love into the children she came into contact with over the past 20 years. Her “Moving Mouth” award was cherished by all who received it, and was coveted by everyone. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and she positively impacted students, faculty and staff. Her musicians performed with the Albany Symphony Orchestra and more recently, in 1999 with David Allen Miller. Her chorus also performed yearly at the Pepsi Arena. Individual youngsters have successfully participated in musical competitions, and Dottie was musical director for countless productions. One achievement that she was particularly proud of was the 1999 integrated arts program based upon Thomas Locker’s book, Water Dance at Castleton Elementary School. Dottie was active in the Rensselaer City School Music Association where she held several offices, the Berkshire Hudson Valley Chapter of the American Orff Association and the Schodack Teachers Faculty Association, where she held the office of secretary, and served as president from 1994 to 1996. She worked on many school committees, and was a strong advocate of shared decision-making, She was instrumental in the formation of the Castleton Elementary School’s award-winning Morning Program where she continued to be an integral part of this daily activity.
