Dorit Elizabeth vanderWilden, of Concord, formerly of Roslyn, New York, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2025, at the age of 87.
Beloved mother of Erik (and Suzanne) of Croton-on-Hudson, New York; Philip (and Mary-Wren) of Concord; and John (and Barbara) of South Hamilton; and Omi to Andrew, Peter, Ethan, Matteus, Emily, and Maximus. As a single mom, she took great pride in raising what she called three “kind men.” She also adored and reveled in the accomplishments of her six grandchildren.
She was born on April 19, 1937, in Hamburg, Germany, a few minutes after her identical sister Ruth (Heston of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania). Her family fled Germany in 1939 and were separated for two years. While she and her sister went to Switzerland, her parents went to England. They were reunited in New York in 1941 when Dori and her sister arrived on the Serpa Pinto vessel from Portugal. The family settled in Forest Hills, New York, where Dori graduated from Forest Hills High School in 1955. She then studied art at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia, graduating in 1959.
Dori was an incredibly talented artist. From homemade Halloween costumes to stenciled blocks, paintings, and drawings, stage scenery to calligraphy menus, she added her beautiful touch to many a canvas. She was an avid reader, writer, and fan of nonsense poetry, often reciting “Jabberwocky” or an Ogden Nash poem to the delight of many family and friends. She was also a daily Queen Bee on the New York Times Spelling Bee game.
More than anything else, she loved her many dogs, especially her German shepherd named Jeep (her heart dog). Dori was a top-notch obedience trainer over many decades and helped to train many an AKC champion. She also was passionate about Schutzhund training, sheepherding, and field training of hunting dogs. She made and will be missed by many friends in what she referred to as her “doggie world.”
The family expresses our heartfelt appreciation for the staff and volunteers at Care Dimensions Lincoln Hospice House for their extraordinary care, kindness, and compassion provided during her last seven months.
A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, May 3. Details to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dori may be made to the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation of Bloomfield, Connecticut, at fidelco.org.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. To share a remembrance or to offer a condolence on her tribute page, visit DeeFuneralHome.com.
