Dorothy Adair Gonick, 99

HINSDALE, Mass. — Dorothy Adair Gonick, 99, of Hinsdale, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, Feb 4, 2022.

Born in Redding, Iowa, on Dec. 27, 1922, Dorothy was the second oldest of six children born to Mary Bailey and Earl Adair. Her childhood was spent on the family farm, making memories with her siblings, cousins and neighbors. Dorothy went on to graduate from the University of Iowa in 1944, enjoying rooming with her sister in her senior year.

In 1944, she met her husband, the late Walter Gonick, at a college dance to entertain the troops.

Dorothy then taught in Huxley, Iowa, while Walter served on the front lines in Germany in WWII.

When Walter returned, they married in 1947 and moved to Connecticut, where they welcomed their three children; Peter, Marie and Diane. Dorothy taught elementary school for 20 years in Connecticut, while attaining her master's degree in 1972 from Southern Connecticut State College.

Upon moving to Hinsdale in 2004, Dorothy found a home with her daughter's family. She joined the Hinsdale Congregational Church and formed lasting friendships. In her retirement, she continued her lifelong passions of creating art through calligraphy and Chinese brush painting, and writing, which she shared with the world when she published numerous short pieces over the span of ten years for her column, "Nature as a Mirror." Dorothy was particularly proud of her autobiographical book, "A Kaleidoscope of Memories," which she worked on tirelessly and eventually published in 2014.

Dorothy spent her last years surrounded by family, enjoying church events, gardening, sewing and participating in The Berkshire Writer's Room, where she was named their first poet laureate. 

She was preceded in death by her husband Walter, and her siblings Margaret Kruse of Melrose Park, Ill., and Francis and Marjorie who died in infancy. She is survived by her siblings Alice Johnson of Huntsville Ala., and John Adair of Omaha, Neb., her children: Peter Gonick of Pittsfield and his partner Sue, Marie Gonick of Gastonia NC, and Diane Ciaburri of Hinsdale and her husband Michael. 

She is also survived by six grandchildren: Christopher, Robyn, Joseph, Thomas, Ivy, and Ginger, as well as four great-grandchildren: Liam, CJ, Emmeline, and Madelyn.

Throughout every rich chapter of her life, Dorothy was a warm and welcoming presence to all lucky enough to meet her. Her devotion to her family and friends was evident through frequent phone calls and letters. Dorothy's sincerity and love were felt by many and will be greatly missed.

A family service will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, at 4 pm. Those wishing to attend may do so virtually by requesting a zoom link from Thomas Ciaburri at dorothygonickservice@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, fond remembrances may be sent to the family, and donations may be sent to the Hinsdale Congregational Church.