Dorothea Boucher O’Byrne, lovingly known as Dottie, passed away peacefully at her home in Newtown, on April 10, 2025, at the age of 88.

Dottie is survived by her cherished niece, Lynda L. Roberts, and her partner, Jeff Flor, of Cheshire, Mass. She also leaves behind her great-nephew, Gary S. Dove of Narragansett, R.I., and her great-nieces, Jessica L. Dove of West Warwick, R.I., and Rebecca Addicks and her husband, Josh of San Diego, Calif. Additionally, she is survived by her stepchildren Beth O’Byrne and Trish Wright of Boston, Mass., and John O’Byrne and his wife, Kim of Lakewood, Colo.

Dottie was predeceased by her beloved husbands, Jack O’Byrne (d. 2021) and Jack Lang (d. 1984); her sister, Joan B. Roberts (d. 2022); and her nephew, Steven M. Roberts (d. 1984).

Born and raised in Cranston, R.I., to Howard and Josephine Boucher, Dottie attended Cranston High School. A firm believer in the power of education, she pursued higher learning with dedication. After graduating from high school, she earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Rhode Island in 1958 as a sister of Alpha Delta Pi. She continued her academic journey at Drexel University, where she served as a graduate assistant in home economics and received her Master’s degree in 1961. Dottie furthered her education with sixth-year work at Michigan and Connecticut state colleges and was certified in both elementary and secondary education.

Dottie was a beloved and respected teacher at Ridgefield High School in Ridgefield, where she taught Family and Consumer Sciences for over 30 years. She adored her students and was deeply involved with the Outreach Club. An active member of her community, Dottie attended Newtown Congregational Church and participated in numerous clubs, including the Town and Country Garden Club, Business and Professional Women, Book Club, National Education Association, Ridgefield Education Association, Connecticut Family and Consumer Science Association, and Connecticut Nutrition Council.

Dottie had a zest for life and a wide array of hobbies. She enjoyed playing tennis, gardening, sewing, walking her beloved rescued Cairn Terriers, and reading. However, her favorite pastime was spending time at her cherished beach house in Wickford, R.I. There, she swam laps in the ocean, sailed, and relaxed on the beach with a book in hand. Dottie spent nearly every summer at her beach house since 1940, creating countless memories with family and friends.

Dottie’s legacy of love, education, and community involvement will be remembered and cherished by all who knew her. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, April 26, at 11 am, at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street in Newtown.