Obituary of Dorothy Bradshaw

Dorothy Bradshaw, age 91, passed away in New Milford CT April 22, 2016 at Candlewood Valley Health and Rehab Center, following a long illness. She was born in Allen, NE September 5, 1924. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Karl Bradshaw Sr. She graduated from Southwest Missouri State College with a Bachelors Degree and Teaching Credential, and later at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT with a Masters Degree. She was a resident of Danbury or Bethel for most of her adult life. She taught school – primarily 1st and 2nd grade – for 43 years, the last 25 in Bethel. She was a member of the Teachers Association nationally and in Connecticut, and was awarded Teacher of the Year for the state in the 1980s. Over the course of her career she taught many children and their children how to read and succeed in scholarship. Many Bethel school children wrote their first essay about birds with Dorothy Bradshaw as their teacher at Grassy Plain or Berry School. Dorothy considered her faith in Jesus her first priority. She taught Sunday School, Bible School, girls and boys youth programs, and participated in many activities of her church. She was always a ‘pillar’ for her dedication and commitment in serving God and others. She was an example of what it means to be a Christ-follower. Everyone who knew her enjoyed her laugh, her spontaneity and her way of making everyone comfortable. She was first to offer help to anyone in need, and took many strangers into her home. Story after story is told by people far and wide of the times she helped them when they had nowhere to turn. Her flowers and vegetables were a neighborhood delight, and she was thrilled to share them. Dorothy will be missed by daughter Roberta (husband Stu Smith), son Karl Bradshaw Jr. (wife Karen) and daughter Joann (husband Rev. Tim Hoganson), 12 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Special thanks to daughter-in-law Karen Bradshaw for her many years of tender loving care in her home. A service honoring the life of Dorothy will be held at Cornell Memorial Funeral Home, 247 White St, Danbury, Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 2 p.m.