Wilder, VT-
Dorothy A. Williams, 74, died during the early hours of Sunday, May 03, 2015 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH.

She was born May 21, 1940 in Olean New York, a daughter of Douglas Williams and Helen (Swanson) Williams. Dorothy was the youngest of three girls. The family later relocated to Schenectady New York.

She graduated from Linton High School, Class of 1958 and went on to earn a degree in Medical Technology from Elmira College. After college, she worked at Tufts University in the Medical Research. Dorothy returned to the Albany-Schenectady area for employment and met her first husband, Dennis Smith, a student at Albany Medical School. As her family grew with daughter Kimberley and son Kendall, career development saw moves to New Haven Connecticut, Cambridge Massachusetts, and finally to Burlington Vermont. Following a divorce, Dorothy remained in Burlington to raise her family and advance her career. Her natural abilities for organization and effective management lead her into health care administration.

With the family grown, she moved to the Upper Valley in 1988 for her position as Assistant Director at the DHMC regional medical center. The Upper Valley afforded Dorothy many avenues for her active lifestyle; she enjoyed biking, hiking, tennis, XC skiing, downhill skiing, and occasional golf. Membership in the indoor tennis facility, OUR COURT Tennis Club, engendered many new friendships, including one that blossomed with Mike Hughes, her soon to be life-long partner, on and off the court. Their marriage in Bermuda followed in 1997.

Surrounded by many loving co-workers, her retirement party in 2002 freed up more of her time and she added kayaking, competitive bridge (ACBL), and team tennis (Hartford) to her activities – yet again widening her circle of friends.

Together, Dorothy and Mike travelled to Hawaii, Bermuda, Italy, Hilton Head Island, Nantucket, and enjoyed excursions to Arizona and California. Preparation for a ten day biking tour of Tuscany, Italy typified Dorothy's style – there was a training regimen in place during the prior months.

She is survived by her husband Michael Hughes of Wilder VT, sister Lynn Greene of Exeter, NH, son Kendall Smith and daughter Kimberly Schultz, both of White River Junction VT, sons Daemmon Hughes of Montpelier VT and Michael W. Hughes of West Fairlee VT. Six grandchildren include her oldest, Erin Potter (nee Bjorkman), whom she helped raise, and joyfully saw married to Daniel Potter on May 2nd, at bedside. Dorothy's death preceded her 18th wedding anniversary by a mere four days. Her wit, charm, and fun loving personality will forever be missed.

A Memorial Celebration for Dorothy will be held at the Wilder Community Center, Wilder VT www.wildercenter.com , on Sunday June 7, 2015 at 1PM until 4PM. Memorial contributions may be made to Norris Cotton Cancer Center.

Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction, VT has assisted with arrangements. Visit www.knightfuneralhomes.com regarding Memorial Celebration details, and condolences may be expressed in an online guestbook