Dorothy D. Stevenson

Dorothy D. Stevenson, 94, went to the Lord peacefully in her sleep at her home in Middletown, R.I., on Aug. 31, 2014. Dorothy was born in New York, N.Y., on Nov. 26, 1919. She was one of four daughters of the late Royal and Alice Dana. She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Lt. Cmdr. Fred A. Stevenson, USN (ret.), who passed away in 2006, and two sisters, Clementina Frost and Adelaide Bagley.She is survived by her two daughters, both of Middletown, Dana Stevenson, and Jane Tracy, her husband Richard, grandsons Nathan Tracy and wife Marissa, of San Clemente, Calif., and Ryan Tracy, of Solana Beach, Calif., niece Jeanne Montross and her partner Cathy Rybicki, and nephew Richard Montross. Her youngest sister Virginia Jenks also survives her, as well as many other nieces and nephews. Dorothy was an artist who never stopped observing and educating herself about painting and drawing. A long-time member of the Newport Art Museum, her natural talent was nurtured by the renowned painter Marion Carey, an instructor there. Her husband and family were very proud of the many paintings she sold that gave others an opportunity to enjoy her creations. She loved to visit art museums and was able to combine that interest with her love of travel. Trips to Italy, France, and Portugal with art groups were highlights, as well as visits to exhibits in nearby Boston and New York. She also enjoyed travels with her husband to Scotland, England, Australia, and New Zealand. Her recent favorite trips were aboard the ocean liner Queen Mary 2, with her daughters. Her eyes lit up at the mention of the QM2!Her endless curiosity about the world and life-long love of learning was nourished by an art scholarship to the progressive Dalton School in Manhattan. Her desire to keep her mind sharp led her to membership in Circle of Scholars, Newport Preservation Society, Naval Academy Alumni Association, Sandpipers, and the Edward King House, where she was still playing bridge weekly. Her family envied her abundant intellect and energy! She also studied the Bible and was a long-time faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church in Newport. Her humble Christian heart and loving ways provided a wonderful example for family and friends to follow.Dorothy was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her many moves as a child prepared her well for her years as a Navy spouse. In the 1920s she and her family moved five times while living in California where her father worked as an architect. Another move took them on a cross country trip from California to New York in their 1924 Buick touring car (a story she particularly loved to tell), on a route that included dirt roads and no motels, only the rare travel cabin where all four girls would sleep in one bed and their parents in another. In her 94 years, with all the change she witnessed, Dorothy gracefully considered and absorbed it, including new technology such as computers. She became competent at continuing her genealogy research with her desktop Mac, as well as communicating with email. Her mornings began with watching C-Span and she regularly watched panel discussion programs that would provide unbiased commentary on world and national news. She had opinions on many things that she would share when asked.An endeavor she was quite proud of was doing the research, then buying a sailboat, a 22' Pearson Ensign, that provided many years of enjoyment on the waters of Newport, and then Lake Minnetonka, Minn., where the family lived for a time. Although a white-knuckled sailor, she never missed a race or an opportunity to be on the water. She even took the boat out for a sail herself with a friend, much to her husband's surprise, and did all the annual maintenance, from bottom paint to varnish.In addition to her passion for art, her love of music also defined her. She regularly attended orchestral concerts in Boston and was a great fan of Newport's summer Music Festival. Opera was a favorite, much to the dismay of her children when young who remember teasing her lovingly by singing along (badly) when she played recordings. Classical music was always heard in her home and her knowledge of composers and their works, as well as her CD collection, was extensive. She also liked the Beatles! Dorothy was open-minded and willing to consider and discuss new trends and ideas. She was resiliant and wise, and a shining example of the "Greatest Generation." She loved good conversation and being with people, especially her family, who loved and admired her and will miss her greatly. Each day her family had with her was an absolute blessing.A memorial service for Dorothy will be held on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 11:00 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church on Broadway. A reception at the church will follow. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery will take place at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in her name to the Newport Music Festival (Mark P. Malkovich III Memorial Fund), 850 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown, RI 02842. Service SEP 20. 11:00 AM First Presbyterian Church Broadway and Everett Street Newport, RI, US