Mrs. Dorothy M. Needham

On August 2, 2023, Dorothy M Needham left this world to join her husband, and dance partner, Arthur R Needham, who passed in 2016. Dorothy was born July 7, 1927, in Whitestone, New York. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Whitestone. She was educated at the Franklin School of Professional Arts and The School of Visual Arts, both in NYC. Being the strong willed and talented woman she was, and despite being born blind in one eye, she worked her way up to become assistant Art Director for North Advertising Company in Manhattan, NYC. She met her true love, Arthur Needham, while vacationing at Eastover Resort in Lenox, MA. They married June 5, 1961. After moving to Windsor mass in 1962, they started a family and in 1963 had twin boys and in 1967 a daughter. After raising her children, she returned to her love of art. She attended classes at BCC and even shared classes with her son, Kenneth. She was a member of the Pittsfield Art League, Dalton Art Guild and Hilltown Art Alliance. She and her daughter were chosen for Pittsfield’s Sheeptacular and created “Tiffany Sheep” which is featured on the cover of the events book. She was never afraid of adventure and when her son, Art, was stationed in San Francisco, California, she drove cross country back with him. Her numerous artworks are a legacy of her amazing talent and her love of color. Despite her many challenges, at 96 she continued to create art, including on the day before her passing. Blessed to have been part of her life is her son, Kenneth W, Needham and his wife Maureen, her son Arthur R. Needham II and his wife Tracy, daughter Jennifer D. Needham and her chickens, 3 grandchildren, Arthur R. Needham III, Andrew Needham, and Clara-Ann Cazavelan, as well as, of course, her beloved, and rather large, cat, Jeremiah. Her family would like to thank, Maureen a.k.a. “The notorious Freckles Fahey”, Laurel Ridge in Lanesborough, MA, for their wonderful care of our mother, Home Instead and their amazing caregivers including Chris, Gigi, Beth, Tammy and others, HospiceCare in the Berkshires and their staff, especially the nurses that brought cat treats, the chaplain Joni, whose smile warms the heart, and the volunteer Barbara, who our mother considered a close friend. Funeral Notice: A graveside service for Dorothy M. Needham will be Friday, August 11, 2023, at 11 am at the Shaw Road Cemetery in Windsor MA, where she will be laid to rest next to her late husband and love, Arthur. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dorothy’s memory can be made to the Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter or the Dalton Art Guild in care of the Dwyer-Wellington Funeral Home. Please visit www.dwyerfuneral.com to leave condolences and remembrances.

Mrs. Dorothy M. Needham

July 11, 1927 - August 3, 2023