Dorothea E. Walters, who was devoted to nursing, to her family, and to her faith, died peacefully on Saturday, April 9, 2016, with family by her side. She was 96.

“Dorothea ‘Dottie’ Walters devoted her life to many callings, the first being nursing, starting as a Registered Nurse at Buffalo General and ending as the Nurse/Teacher for Altamont Elementary.  She retired in 1983,” her family wrote in a tribute.

“The second calling of great importance was her family she and husband, Carl, created.  During Carl’s 16-year tenure as Guilderland town supervisor, Dottie provided unrelenting support through campaigns, elections, and day-to-day issues which invariably made their way home from the office.  She was a comfort to her family.  She was also quite proud of the fact that her job as a nurse paid for all of her children’s college educations.                                                                                                           

​“And finally, her faith as a Catholic was the calling that gave her strength for the other two.  As a member of St. Lucy’s in Altamont and eventually St. Mary’s in Wells, Maine, she lived her faith.  In Maine she passed on that belief teaching Sunday school, spending many hours preparing lessons for her first- and second-grade students.

“She loved Maine, the Atlantic Ocean at sunrise, and the many seagulls that accompanied her at the beach and beyond.  She fondly spoke of a time in the next life as one of those seagulls.  If you’re at the beach in Maine between York Beach and Wells Beach, listen carefully for her call.”

She is survived by her children, John C. Walters and his wife, Roberta, of Syracuse; Michael Walters of Gloversville; Judith Dineen of Altamont; and Mary Oates and her husband, Bob, of Duanesburg.  She is also survived by seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Her husband, Carl Walters, died before her.

Services will be private and scheduled at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are by Reilly & Son Funeral Home of Voorheesville.

Memorial donations may be made to Teresian House at 200 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, NY 12203.