Dorothy Worster ... former city school 'Teacher of Year'

DOVER - Dorothy E. Worster, 84, died peacefully Thursday, January 21, 2021 at Watson Fields in Dover. Her son and daughter spent the previous day with their mother sharing stories of her life and listening to her favorite music of Johnny Cash and the Carter Family.
Born in Montague, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Dr. Frank B. and Minnie (Marsh) Sauter. She grew up and lived in Orange, Mass., before moving to Rochester in 1969. She attended Simmons College in Boston, Mass., until she met and married her husband, Robert in 1956. Her degree was completed at Fitchburg State Teachers College.
Her teaching career spanned over 40 years. After retiring full-time teaching in 1998, she continued as a substitute teacher. Early in her career, she worked as both elementary school teacher and principal of Dexter Park Grade School in Orange. In Rochester, she taught second grade at School Street School. She was honored in 1988 with the "Teacher of the Year" award.
Dorothy made a huge impression on virtually every student that ever set foot in her classroom, as well as to her colleagues, where she was not only a mentor but a true friend to all. She maintained these relationships for the rest of her life.

Growing up in a small town where her father was the local doctor, many of his patients had little to no means to pay for their medical care. He would often accept food and vegetables as payments. One patient could no longer keep their two horses and gave them to Dr. Sauter. Those horses began Dorothy's love of animals. She had many wonderful years caring for Gentleman Jim, her beloved horse.

Throughout her life, she adopted a multitude of cats and dogs. One of her fondest rescues was Garcy, a retired racing greyhound. Dorothy even worked one of her summers at a local veterinarian caring for animals.
Dorothy loved to travel both locally in New England and across the United States. Her favorite destination was Crawford Notch and the Mount Washington Hotel, where she would relax on the back porch enjoying the mountain views.
In high school, Dorothy was captain of the girls' basketball team and worked as a certified life guard. This began her lifelong enjoyment of professional sports. She loved the Red Sox, the Patriots and of course, the Kentucky Derby. She was also a talented piano player, but lesser known as a clarinet musician.
Dorothy was predeceased by her husband in 2004 after 48 years of marriage.
Members of her family include her children Mark Worster of Rochester, and Shelly Oberholtzer and husband Frank of Beverly, Mass.; her siblings Carl Sauter and wife Ann Sherlock of Orange, Mass., and Geoffrey Sauter and wife Michele of Dover, Mass.; nieces and nephews.