Dorothy S. Lear died peacefully among friends on Tuesday, May 20 in New Canaan. Mrs. Lear was born on November 22, 1918 in Fort Collins, Colorado to Thane and May Schureman. She attended the University of Colorado where she met her husband, Robert W. Lear of Canon City, Colorado. After their marriage they moved to Sewickley, PA outside Pittsburgh where, except for war-time service in Philadelphia, they remained until moving to New Canaan and Sunset Hill Rd. in 1955. A business opportunity caused them to move to Niagara Falls, NY in 1960 but in 1964 they returned to New Canaan on Silvermine Road as permanent residents. Dotty was a substitute teacher early in her career at the Sewickley Academy, but spent the majority of her time caring for her husband and two sons. She was an avid reader and piano player with an outgoing, vivacious personality which attracted a wide circle of friends. Charitable activities included years of service with the Lighthouse for the Blind in New York. Her husband, Robert W. Lear, passed away in 2009. In 1998 he authored and published “Volunteerism in New Canaan”, a collection of interviews with successful businessmen who found highly satisfying second careers in the local eleemosynary community. The Senior Men’s Club and Staying Put were out-growths of this initiative. Mrs. Lear is survived by her two sons, William and Andrew, of Chicago, IL and Houston, TX and their wives Sharon and Candyce. She had three grandchildren, Peter Lear of Boulder, CO, Merritt Lear of Silver Lake, CA and Anna Lear of Chicago. Friends recall her lifelong love of learning along with a strong, loving personality and sense of humor which helped to make her welcome with all whom she touched. Services will be held in St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, May 24 at 10:00 Am with a reception to follow. Contributions in Dorothy’s memory may be made to St. Mark’s Church or to the New Canaan Inn.