Dorothy Hyatt Frear

Dorothy Hyatt Frear, 93, of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and a longtime resident of Greece, New York, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2018. Dorothy, more commonly referred to by friends and family as “Dot” or “Dottie,” was born in Rochester, New York on May 6, 1925 and was the daughter of Jane and Harold Hyatt. She was predeceased by her husband of 69 years, Arnold W. Frear, her sister, Eleanor Milhan, and her brother, Donald Hyatt. She is survived by children, Judy Thorpe (William), Robert Frear (Tim Kennedy), and Sally Halstead (Michael); her grandchildren, Jane Hyatt Thorpe (Michael Sramek), William P. Thorpe II (Bianca), and Lauren Frances Halstead; four great grandchildren, William Parr III and Wyatt Javier Thorpe, Carolina Jane and Virginia Jane Sramek; and many nieces and nephews. Dottie was a catalyst for change and community improvement and a tireless community leader in the town of Greece. She was instrumental in building the Northwest Family YMCA and founding the Greece Public Library. She had a passion for swimming throughout her life and was a pioneer in teaching very young children to swim at private backyard pools in the early 1960’s. She was President of the Barnard School PTA and the Auxiliary of the Barnard Fire Department. She also was an Elder at Bethany Presbyterian Church in Rochester, active at First Presbyterian Church during the years when she and Arnold lived in Delray Beach, Florida, and active at Lowcountry Presbyterian Church when they lived in Bluffton, South Carolina. We will fondly remember her for her love of family and community and her warm engaging personality and generosity of spirit. Dottie’s family would like to thank the staff of The Preston Health Center at Cypress of Hilton Head Island for their many years of dedicated and loving care. Warm thanks go to Marilyn Gemme, a faithful visitor during Mom’s final years. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Northwest Family YMCA, 730 Long Pond Road, Rochester, NY 14612, or Greece Public Library, Vince Tofany Blvd, Rochester, NY 14612. A celebration of life and memorial service is planned for Monday, September 24th at 10:00am at the Lowcountry Presbyterian Church with burial at 2:00pm at the Beaufort, South Carolina National Cemetery.