Dorothy Sullivan Willett, Durham Philanthropist, Dies at Age 79

Dorothy Sullivan Willett, 79, of Durham, devoted and beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, friend and philanthropist, died peacefully on July 4th after a long illness.  

Dorothy joins her husband of 56 years Leo V. Willett Jr. MD. Dorothy is survived by her sister Phyllis S. McDonald Morgan of Marshfield, MA; her four children, Leo V. Willett IV of Seminole, FL, Jenny Willett Hedderman of Ipswich, MA, David S. Willett of Westbrook, CT, and Francis S. Willett of Durham, CT; and six grandchildren Mallory Willett, Leo Willett V, Michaela Hedderman, Sean Hedderman, Logan Willett and Aidan Willett.  Dorothy was predeceased in death by her parents Francis Sullivan and Phyllis G. Sullivan of Boston, MA and her sister Mary Sullivan Welch of Dedham, MA.   

Dorothy was born in South Boston, Massachusetts, graduated from Nazareth High School and received a Bachelor of Arts from Emmanuel College.  Dorothy taught in the Boston schools prior to her marriage.  While raising four small children, and with her husband Leo serving as a Naval surgeon on a hospital ship in Vietnam, Dorothy completed a Masters in Library Science from Glassboro State College.  Dorothy served on the faculty of the Glassboro State College Graduate School teaching book selection for elementary school libraries.  To support her devotion to the critical importance of reading and education, Dorothy designed and established the first K-8 school library at St. Margaret’s School in New Jersey. 

Upon moving to Durham in 1971, Dorothy became actively involved as a member of the American Library Assoc., American Library Trustees Association, CT Library Association, New England Library Association and Association of Connecticut Library Boards (ACLB) as their Vice President and Educational Program Chairman.  In 1993, Dorothy produced the Connecticut Public Library Trustee Handbook after obtaining a $10K federal grant.  Dorothy was a member of numerous library committees and reappointed five years in a row to the Advisory Council for Library planning by the State Librarian. As a member of the Connecticut State Library Board from 1991, Dorothy was instrumental in state committees to improve local library government information access, CT history and genealogy, blind and handicapped library services, preservation of library archival materials and on-line access to information.  Dorothy led the restoration fund raising campaign to restore and preserve the historic Rampant Colt Statute now on display in the Connecticut Historical Museum and having a replacement made for the Colt Building in Hartford, CT. 

In Durham, Dorothy was Durham Public Library Building Chairman from 1978-85 responsible for several expansion and redesigns making the Durham Public Library voted the “15 best interiors chose from 384 national libraries including academic libraries.”  Dorothy was passionate about open access to information for the Durham public and the Durham Public library was designed to include computers, on-line access to the internet and research materials across the country, which are now routine in public libraries.

One of Dorothy’s favorite philianthropic adventures was as a long term Officer and President of the Durham Garden Club responsible for decorating the Durham Town Hall, many locations throughout Durham, and sponsoring fund raising events to raise awareness, promote education, and encourage landscaping, gardening and area beautification.  The Durham Garden Club was the recipient of numerous awards and recognition for the restoration of Town historical sites, memorial trees, beautification, public awareness and education.  Dorothy was also a member of countless committees and Boards including the Middletown YMCA Women’s Board which supported countless fundraisers including the YMCA Designer Showcase.   

Dorothy was a tireless philanthropist and along with her husband Leo, sponsored numerous scholarships including the establishment of the Coginchaug Regional High School Scholarship Committee, the Scholarship Ball and the Scholarship Booth at the historic Durham Fair renowned for its chocolate covered bananas, resulting in thousands of dollars of scholarships to graduating seniors.

Dorothy loved her rose garden, entertaining, antiques, artwork, travelling worldwide and reading.  She will be remembered as an amazing gourmet cook, hostess and flower arranger, a devoted wife to her beloved Leo, a loving mother and grandmother who made every holiday and special occasion extraordinary and memorable.  Dorothy was devoted to her family, friends and to Durham and has left an indelible imprint. 

Friends may call on Tuesday July 9, 2013 from 5-8 pm at the Doolittle Funeral Home in Middletown, CT. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday July 10th at 10 am at the Notre Dame Church on Main Street Durham, CT, followed by burial at Mica Hill Cemetery and a gathering in the lower level meeting room at the Durham Public Library.   Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.  Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Dorothy Willett’s name to her beloved Durham Public Library, 6 Maple Avenue, Durham, CT 06422 or the Durham Garden Club P.O. Box 105 Durham, Connecticut 06422.