Dorothy Metz

Dorothy O’Connor Metz passed away on January 7, 2024 with her loving sister Betty McIntyre at her side. Dorothy was born in Malone, New York on her mother’s 40th birthday, June 24, 1935. She was the daughter of John F. O’Connor and Irene O’Leary. She married Richard Metz (deceased) in Saranac Lake in December 1978. They were married for 28 years.

Dorothy graduated from St. Joseph Ursuline Academy in 1953. She began her career in 1954 as a telephone operator for the New York Telephone Company, and moved to the business office in Saranac Lake in 1963. She continued working for the company until her retirement. After a short time, she returned to work at the Adirondack Park Agency, where she retired in 1999.

Dorothy loved to travel and explore new places. She enjoyed many, many trips in her lifetime, including tours of Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy and Greece. She traveled through numerous parts of the United States and also traveled to the Canadian Maritimes and Canadian Rockies. She especially loved her trips to Scotland, Wales, and her beloved Ireland.

True to her Irish roots, Dorothy loved Irish music. She was a a huge fan of singer Danny O’Donnell and traveled to many different places to see and hear him perform. She loved taking the train from Albany to see Broadway shows in New York City, and especially loved Mama Mia.

Dorothy was an active member of St. Bernard’s Church, devoting many hours to serve in numerous capacities, including Eucharistic Minister and Greeter. She was a member of the St. Bernard’s Altar and Rosary Society, and an active member of the Court St. Bernard Catholic Daughters of America. She especially enjoyed the Christmas cookie baking and boxing the cookies up for Meals on Wheels. She loved being part of the St. Bernard’s Hand Bell Choir, also known as The Ding-a Lings.

Dorothy was always an active member and participant in the Saranac Lake community. She volunteered for the Ecumenical Food Pantry, Ecumenical Lunch Box, the Adult Center, and St. Luke’s Budget Box for many years. She also enjoyed and ran The Queen’s Closet which was part of the annual bazaar at Uilhein for a number of years. In 2014 Dorothy was crowned Queen of the Saranac Winter Carnival, one of the highlights of her life. She fully enjoyed serving the community in her role as queen.

Dorothy was a devoted and loving daughter, wife and sister. She was also the most amazing aunt and provided an endless source of love, affection and support to her nieces and nephews throughout their lives. In addition to her loving family and friends, Dorothy will be especially missed by her special cadre of women friends, who brought her so much joy and who were a constant source of support in her life.

Dorothy is predeceased by her two brothers and sister-in-laws John Joseph O’Connor (Martha), Francis Edward O’Connor (Margaret), and brother-in-law Raymond McIntyre.

Dorothy is survived by her sisters Alice O’Connor and Betty McIntyre, nieces and nephews Sharon O’Connor Smith (Dick), Karen Murphy (Paul), Jackie Tellis, Susan Fullenwider (Chuck), Cindy O’Connor, Tammy O’Connor, John O’Connor (Shari), and Jim O’Connor (Caroline). She also leaves behind great nieces and nephews, two great, great nephews, a great great niece, and several godchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at Will Rogers, and particularly Dorothy’s aides and nurses, for the care and support they provided Dorothy during her stay.

Donations in Dorothy’s honor can be made to St. Bernard’s School and to the Catholic Daughters Scholarship Fund.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. Visiting hours at St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake will be 10:00 on January 25. A mass in celebration of Dorothy’s life will follow at 11:00. A graveside burial service will take place in Malone in the spring.

Family and friends can also share their condolences and memories at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.

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