Obituary of Dorothy Mary Slater

Niskayuna - Dorothy Mary Slater, 94, died early Tuesday morning, December 14, 2010 at home surrounded by her family. She was born February 2, 1916, near Oakley, Minnesota, where her parents Annie and Peter Eiler had a small farm. She spent most of her childhood, though, in Hill City, MN. At 16 she became the 1932 National 4-H Health Queen as the healthiest female in the country. After high school, she entered nurses' training at St. Mary's Hospital in Minneapolis graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1936. She married William Slater at St. Mark's Catholic Church in St. Paul, MN. She continued working as a nurse during the war years, while later moving to Minot, North Dakota after World War II. Though she had loved her time in Minneapolis, she also grew to love Minot as her home. For most of her years there, she had worked as a nurse at the Air Force Hospital in their obstetrics unit. She was a dedicated nurse helping many a mother to give birth and welcoming with expert care many a newborn. Dorothy loved being a nurse so very much. After she retired, she also volunteered for years as a Hospice nurse. She was always happiest when she could help someone in need. Dorothy was a dedicated and loving mother who had three daughters whom she treasured at all times. She also found great joy in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who adored her very much. While living in Minot she was a faithful daily communicant of St. Leo's Church. She delighted in being a lector and Eucharistic Minister there. After moving to live with her daughter in Niskayuna, New York, she cherished being a part of Our Lady of Fatima Church. Her faith was always vibrant and deeply valued by her. Dorothy is survived by her daughters and their husbands, Frances (John) Johannes, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania and Helen (Joseph) Moon, Niskayuna, New York; by eight grandchildren, Teresa (Jack) Smith, Michael (Kristine) Johannes, James (Mary Nolan, fianc?) Johannes, William (Stefanie) Moon, Franklin (Erica) Moon, Mary (Stephen) Manzo, Catherine (Andrew) Weiss, and Michelle (Kevin) Porter; and seven great-grandchildren, Katharine and Madeline Smith, Julia and Emma Moon, Daniel and Benjamin Moon, and Ryan Manzo; a sister, Alice (Allan) Fagley, two sisters-in-law, Agnes Slater, and Maxine Eiler. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, William, a daughter, Mary Slater, her parents, four brothers, John, Andrew, George, and Anthony Eiler and a sister Rosena Eiler. Dorothy and her family would also like to thank her wonderful caregivers: Cassandra Berhaupt, Rose Baumgartner, and Gloria Orlup who helped her immensely with their kindness, expertise and friendship. A funeral Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 9 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Schenectady on Friday. The family will welcome visitors at the church by 8:15 a.m. There will be no calling hours. Dorothy will then be transported back to her home in Minot where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Leo's Church on Tuesday, December 21. Interment will be at Rosehill Cemetery in Minot next to her husband. Contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Schenectady.