Dorothy Pasko

Dorothy A. Pasko, a lifelong Rotterdam resident, died comfortably at home surrounded by family on April 19 from complications of uterine cancer.

Dorothy “Dot” Kelly was born in Schenectady on Oct. 29, 1941 to Richard and Emily (Kleesattle) Kelly, and graduated from Draper School in Rotterdam in 1959. As a teenager, she met the love of her life, Edward Pasko, whom she married in 1960.

After high school, she worked for the New York State Civil Service for three years before leaving to raise her family. Once her children were older, she returned to the workforce as an education coordinator for the educational services department at WMHT, the local PBS affiliate. She adored her job and her co-workers adored her, giving her a big send-off when she retired after 26 years.

Dot epitomized the concept of rolling with the punches. She was one of the most accepting and non-judgmental people you could ever meet. She loved her family fiercely, and looked forwardly to weekly family dinners at Tops American Grill in Rotterdam.

Dot and Ed enjoyed traveling around the country, and especially enjoyed time spent in nature, including regular visits to the camp Ed co-owned in Speculator, N.Y. Dot was a huge animal lover who took great pleasure in feeding the squirrels, birds, feral cats and other animals in the neighborhood. The menagerie of pets she welcomed into her home over the years included a dog, two turtles, rabbits, birds, an array of cats and even a pair of orphaned baby raccoons that she and her husband rehabilitated. She also was a long-time subscriber of Proctors Theatre and the Schenectady Light Opera Company (SLOC) and attended numerous shows at both theaters. “Les Misérables” was a particular favorite.

Dot was predeceased by her husband in 2013 as well as her parents, her grandparents, Madeline and Karl Kleesattle and Richard and Bessie Kelly. She was also predeceased by her beloved uncle Gus Julius and her brother-in-law, James Pasko.

Dot leaves behind a long list of people who will miss her dearly, including her children Joe Pasko and his wife, Amy King, of Albany; Tom Pasko and his wife, Emily, of Guilderland; and Victoria Ferrante and her partner, Debbie Cituk, of Salt Lake City. She’s also survived by her grandchildren, Jessica M. Pasko and her partner Tom Lopez of Santa Cruz, Calif.; Kelly Pasko of Tampa, Fla.; Eddie Pasko and partner Karen Clavel of Schenectady, Shae Pasko of Schenectady, and Ryan Pasko of Cornelius, NC. She also leaves behind her first great-grandchild, Valentina Pasko, born in March, and two step-grandchildren, Jessica Hoffman of Albany, and Alex Cituk of Elmira.

Other survivors include her cherished in-laws, Louise Carlini, Mary and Mark Pasko, and Josephine Pasko; her treasured friends, Mary Martin and Marilyn Moynihan, and countless other people who loved her.

Calling hours will be held Monday, April 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bond Funeral Home in Schenectady. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary in Arizona (https://www.ironwoodpigs.org/) or The Community Hospice, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205.

Thanks go out to the many nurses at Community Hospice and Dot’s aide and new friend, Andrea Parker, who provided great comfort in her final days. A celebration of Dot’s life will be held at a future date.