Dorothy (Hogan) “Dot” Lauer, 93, long-time West Hartford resident and beloved wife of the late William Lauer, passed away peacefully at home on October 23, 2018 from complications of dementia. The youngest of eight children, Dot was born on January 8, 1925, in Syracuse, New York, to the late Joseph and Emma (Camp) Hogan, and she moved to Hartford during the Great Depression. Dot graduated from Hartford Public High School, Class of 1943, where she was a commencement speaker, and then attended the Hartford Secretarial School. She spent her 42-year career in the West Hartford school system, first as an assistant school secretary at the “old” Hall High School and retired as a guidance secretary at the “new” Hall in 1985. She met her husband, Bill, in 1949 when he came to teach at Hall and, like him, reveled in relationships built and sustained with three generations of town students and their families. Dot had a keen interest in people, place and things, a knack for putting anyone at ease and the rare gift of finding something valuable in everyone, making her a much-beloved and sought-out cheerleader and confidante for many, both young and old. Following her retirement through her final decline, Dot remained interested in politics and world affairs, good conversation and doing what she loved most – spending time with family and friends, volunteering at Hartford Hospital, attending church and bible study group, enjoying Hartford Stage and Hartford Symphony performances, and exploring the country and abroad with Bill, her husband of 61-years whom she missed greatly following his passing in June 2017. They were traveling companions in every beautiful sense of the word and, with Dot’s death, have only embarked on another wonderful journey together.
Dot is survived by her daughter, Kathryn, and granddaughter, Emma, of West Hartford, both of whom will miss her dearly, and by several nephews in Syracuse, New York, and Seattle, Washington. She also leaves to mourn her passing Meka Bolzhirova, her “second daughter” and beloved caretaker of four years, whose keen attentiveness, steady encouragement and gentle ministrations enabled Dot to remain at home and comfortable until her death. An angel in disguise, Meka can never be thanked enough for her loving devotion to Dot and Bill and will remain family forever.
Dot’s family will receive friends on Monday, October 29, 2018 from 5:00 PM-7:00 PM at Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, October 30, 2018, 10:00 AM, at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church, 285 Church Street, Hartford, with a short reception to follow at the Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry adjoining the church. Parking is available in the lot across from the church. Burial will be at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry(285 Church Street, Hartford, CT 06103) or a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com.