ALTON – Dorothy D. “Dottie” Galayda, 83, died peacefully April 9, 2011. She was born May 18, 1927, in Somerset, N.J., the daughter of Ralph and Amale (Rihary) Davies.
Dottie grew up in New Jersey and graduated from New Brunswick High School in 1946. In 1949 she married the love of her life, James Galayda. The same year, she started working for New Jersey Bell, where she retired as a manager after almost 30 years of dedicated work in 1974. She was a life member of Order of the Eastern Star, Millwee Chapter No. 198, and she was involved with Old Town Emblem Club. Dottie also enjoyed knitting, crocheting and needlepoint.
Dottie is survived by her sister, Evelyn Golding of Brandon, Fla.; sister-in-law, Irene Galayda of New Jersey; nieces and nephews, James Golding and his wife, Susan, of New Jersey, Eileen Hanson and her husband, Howard, Adrienne Martin and her husband, Stan, both of Brandon, Fla., Karen Galayda, Steven Galayda, James Galayda, Margaret Klemensits and Dorothy Haggerty, all of New Jersey; many great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to her parents, Dottie was predeceased by her beloved husband of 57 years, James Galayda; two brothers-in-law, a sister-in-law; and nephews, Kenneth E. Harned Jr. and Gary Galayda. A special thanks to Jin Roy and her staff at Young’s Elderly Home for the kind and compassionate care they gave to Dottie.
Family and friends are invited for a memorial visitation 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, at Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St., Old Town, where a memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Interment will be at a later date at Alton Cemetery. Notes of condolences may be left at
www.birminghamfuneralhome.com.